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Emergency buses transport residents because of the Madrid fires
The forest fires affecting the southwest of the Community of Madrid have forced the activation of a special interurban bus operation. The vehicles are being used to evacuate residents and take them to reception points set up by emergency services.
In Villamanta, four buses remain ready to intervene as soon as necessary. Another three vehicles are mobilised in Navas del Rey, where they await instructions depending on the development of the fire and evacuation orders.
In Pelayos de la Presa, two buses are already directly taking part in evacuations. Their route connects the municipality with Chapinería, one of the places designated to receive people who have had to leave their homes.
The operation is designed especially for older people, families without their own vehicle and residents who need help to leave threatened areas. The journeys are coordinated with Protección Civil and the other teams working on the ground.
The emergency has also forced changes to the usual service. Route 551 remains limited, while routes 545, 546, 547 and 548 remain temporarily suspended until the roads again provide safe conditions.
The changes affect those who depend on buses to travel between the municipalities of Sierra Oeste. In some cases there are no direct alternatives, so people are advised to avoid non-essential travel and check the situation before leaving.
Vehicles assigned to evacuations take priority over ordinary service while the emergency continues. The availability of routes and frequencies may change at short notice if the wind forces the closure of further roads or the extension of evacuations.
The scene leaves buses that usually carry students and workers transformed into part of the emergency operation. Until the fire is under control, mobility in the area will remain subject to evacuations and the safety of access routes.