Navaluenga Forest Fire: Ongoing Efforts to Contain Blaze Amidst Adverse Conditions

The forest fire in Navaluenga, Ávila, which was declared at 2:10 PM on Friday, remains active, although significant progress has been made overnight by firefighting teams. The current situation is more hopeful, but with a perimeter of 26 kilometers still to manage and challenging weather conditions, particularly since midday, much work is left to do. This update comes from the Junta through the Naturaleza Castilla y León account on X, a social media platform. The message emphasized that overnight efforts were concentrated on reinforcing and stabilizing the perimeter of the fire. Álvaro Gómez, the technical director of the Extinction team, noted that the weather on Saturday would be similar to Friday’s, albeit with slightly reduced risks due to lower wind speeds. However, the potential for the most intense phase of the fire is expected to elevate in the afternoon hours. In response to the emergency, the Community of Madrid has dispatched three rural fire trucks to aid in combating the blaze that threatens Navaluenga and its surroundings. Alongside these vehicles, two command units, consisting of an officer and a subofficer from Madrid’s fire services, have also been deployed. The La Chinita forest fire has led to a raised Potential Severity Index (IGR) since it was first reported at 2:10 PM. By 3:50 PM, the index had increased, prompting an escalation in operational response efforts to level 2 by 5:00 PM. Emergency resources mobilized from the outset to ensure public safety include the Civil Protection Emergency Response team for Forest Fire Emergencies in Castilla y León (INFOCAL) and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). At 6:05 PM, a request was made to activate the Military Emergency Unit (UME) to assist in firefighting. Units from the First Battalion of the UME have since departed from their base in Torrejón, Madrid, to reinforce firefighting operations in Navaluenga. Over 60 aerial and ground resources are currently working to control the fire, as reported by the Military Emergency Unit through their social media channels. MITECO has confirmed the dispatch of four aircraft, along with three brigades and a Mobile Analysis and Planning Unit (UMAP) to the scene. The Junta has prioritized the protection of urban centers in Burgohondo, Navaluenga, Navalmoral, and San Juan de la Nava. Authorities are urging residents and travelers to avoid roads in the vicinity, particularly the AVP417, to prevent hindering firefighting efforts. As of now, the AVP417 road is closed at San Juan, as is the AV902 in Puente Nueva, according to the General Directorate of Traffic. Currently, 62 resources are on the ground fighting the fire, which was initiated around 2:10 PM. The severity index remains high, signaling a considerable risk that could severely impact both forest landscapes and nearby communities, highlighting the urgency of protective measures for public safety and property. The ongoing efforts involve an expert team, eight fire guards, nine crews, eleven fire engines, two bulldozers, fourteen brigades, and around a dozen aerial units. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2