Thousands of residents leave their homes as the fire advances

Chapinería, Navas del Rey and Colmenar del Arroyo joined the towns evacuated over the last few hours. Evacuation orders or preventative warnings have also been issued in Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Robledo de Chavela, Zarzalejo and other areas in the path of the fire.

The arrival of new evacuees has overwhelmed some of the first facilities made available. Villamanta initially became one of the main reception points, but overcrowding has made it necessary to direct families to sports centres and facilities opened in other municipalities.

The Community of Madrid has expanded its shelter network in towns such as Villaviciosa de Odón, Villanueva de la Cañada, Brunete, Las Rozas, Leganés and El Escorial. Special buses are transporting those without a vehicle or who need help leaving their homes.

Not everyone has found space in collective centres. Some families spent the night in their cars, accompanied by dogs, cats and other pets, to retain some privacy and remain close to the places to which they might be moved.

Those evacuated have had to leave with little notice, taking medication, documents and barely a few bags. In some cases, brief, controlled returns have been authorised to collect essential items, although the authorities insist that no one should return on their own.

The wind remains one of the major obstacles for firefighting teams. Changes in direction can quickly bring the flames closer to roads and homes, so people are asked to follow official alerts, avoid travelling to the area and not block the routes used by emergency services.

Sports centres, cultural centres and car parks now present a very different image from the usual one, with beds, animals, bags and neighbours watching their phones. The night leaves a Sierra Oeste on the move, with thousands of people away from home and no clear time to return.