The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, reported this Wednesday on the post-wildfire recovery status in the Sierra Oeste, taking the opportunity to once again launch sharp criticism against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his government’s handling of the crisis.
Nearly 90% of Reconstruction Plan Underway
After meeting with the mayors of the 17 municipalities affected by the fire, Ayuso announced that the Madrid government’s post-disaster reconstruction plan for the region is progressing well. Of the 43 specific measures included in the plan, 88% are already in the implementation phase. At the press conference, Ayuso promised that the government’s goal is not just to rebuild the Sierra Oeste region but to make it ‘better than ever,’ and called for continued public attention and support for the area’s recovery.
Concrete Results in Cleanup and Aid Efforts
Data released at the meeting showcased tangible reconstruction achievements. In terms of environmental cleanup, crews have cleared 834 cubic meters of furniture and construction debris (equivalent to 139 standard shipping containers) and 1,931 cubic meters of burnt vegetation (equivalent to 332 standard shipping containers). Regarding public welfare, 78 residents and 23 pets remain in temporary housing with meal provisions due to their homes being destroyed. Agricultural aid has also been extensively deployed, with 496,750 kg of straw and fodder distributed to local farmers and ranchers, and 16,000 kg of feed has been provided for wildlife in the mountainous area of San Martín de Valdeiglesias.
Social Services and Infrastructure Restoration
In addition to material aid, comprehensive social support services are being rolled out simultaneously. The government’s free legal counseling service has handled 87 cases, employment guidance services have followed up on 282 cases, and psychological assistance provided by the emergency medical service SUMMA 112 has benefited 285 people. Furthermore, home care services for the elderly and those unable to live independently have been increased by 50,000 hours, covering approximately 1,800 beneficiaries. The established citizen service offices and post-disaster aid points have handled a total of 1,328 inquiries. In terms of infrastructure, fiber optic network connections have been restored in most areas, with only the municipalities of Navas del Rey and Chapinería temporarily relying on satellite dishes as a transitional solution.
Political Clash: Ayuso Takes Aim at Sánchez Government
While presenting the reconstruction work, Ayuso once again criticized the central government’s performance. She slammed Prime Minister Sánchez for proceeding with his vacation at the La Mareta official residence in Lanzarote while the country faces multiple crises. She specifically pointed out the ‘infighting’ among the Ministers of the Interior, Defense, and Foreign Affairs while handling the Ceuta migrant crisis. Ayuso emphasized: “During an unsustainable humanitarian crisis that has already cost lives, the Prime Minister is on vacation while three of his ministers are bickering.” In response, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that Sánchez began his vacation last Saturday but is closely monitoring national affairs remotely.
