Nearly 180 residents from Los Ángeles de San Rafael and Vegas de Matute are returning home after the wildfire situation in Segovia improved significantly. On 11 August 2026, the Centro de Coordinación Operativa Integrado (CECOPI) lifted the evacuation order and reopened the SG-722, which had been closed because of the fire that broke out over the weekend in Navas de San Antonio. The fire’s Potential Severity Index (IGR) was lowered to level 1, reflecting a reduced threat to the area. Monitoring and firefighting operations continued after officials authorized the return.
CECOPI’s decision allowed residents to return on Tuesday morning, after evacuees spent two nights in sports facilities in El Espinar and the La Panera civic center in Villacastín. The move followed the lifting of confinement measures in Valdeprados late Monday, after fire crews stabilized the perimeter and kept the flames under control overnight. The measures reflected different local risk conditions: residents of the two returning localities had been evacuated, while Valdeprados had been confined.
Authorities credited the progress to improved weather conditions and intensive work by ground and aerial firefighting teams. By Monday afternoon, officials had confirmed that the fire’s perimeter had not expanded and that no active flames remained in the affected area. Reopening the SG-722 restored a basic local route, easing movement for residents and emergency services.
Raquel Alonso, the Junta’s territorial delegate, highlighted the effectiveness of overnight operations, noting that the fire in Navas de San Antonio remained contained, with no visible flames. She also announced that logistical support was underway to help all displaced residents return safely. Alonso thanked local administrations and volunteers for coordinating support, and recognized firefighters’ work with the community throughout the crisis.
Ignacio Quintanilla, head of the regional Environment Service, said surveillance and perimeter consolidation would continue throughout the day as favorable weather persisted. The focus remained on monitoring the area and preventing the fire from reigniting.
The wildfire affected several municipalities in the Segovia area, including Navas de San Antonio, Los Ángeles de San Rafael, Vegas de Matute, Valdeprados, El Espinar and Villacastín. The response has since extended beyond emergency operations: the Junta de Castilla y León allocated €132,000 through its Renacel program to six municipalities affected by the 2026 fires: El Espinar, Navas de San Antonio, Valdeprados, Vegas de Matute, Villacastín and Zarzuela del Monte. The program enables the municipalities to hire unemployed people for recovery-related work. The funding is intended for post-fire municipal support, not the cost of initial firefighting.
This latest development follows a series of emergency measures in the region, including mass evacuations and road closures, as detailed in recent reports on the wildfire response in Segovia and Castellón. Coordination between agencies helped limit damage and protect the public.
Wildfires are a recurring challenge in Spain, particularly during periods of high temperatures and dry conditions. The country has invested heavily in early warning systems and aerial firefighting resources. It has also backed community preparedness programs. In recent years, authorities have emphasized rapid evacuation protocols and cooperation between agencies to reduce risks to people and property. The events in Segovia show why rural and forested regions need continued vigilance and strong emergency planning. Lifting evacuation measures and reopening the SG-722 shifted the response from immediate protection of residents toward continued surveillance and local recovery.
