Spanish wildfires force evacuations in Villamanta as King Felipe VI visits

A forest fire burning through pine and oak on the slopes of Navas del Rey has forced dozens of residents from the nearby villages of Pelayos de la Presa and San Martín de Valdeiglesias to seek shelter. One couple, Alicia and her husband Jacinto, were unable to bring his night‑time respirator and have been living without it for several nights while the road remains blocked by smoke and fire.

Around 200 people were accommodated in the municipal sports centre "La Chopera" in Villamanta, which has become a temporary evacuation hub. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited the centre, listened to the victims’ testimonies, and praised the volunteers, firefighters and the Unit of Military Emergencies (UME) for their coordination. The royal couple highlighted the severe environmental impact of the fires, the ongoing risk to homes, and the need for better forest‑management and rural prevention measures.

Local authorities and regional officials, including President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, stressed that all available resources are being deployed to protect lives and restore safety.