Fears of Jumanji-style stampede from Safari park as elderly and disabled evacuated from Madrid wildfires

Fears for more than 2,000 animals at Safari Madrid are growing after flames pushed within ten kilometres of the park, while emergency teams have raced to move hundreds of elderly and disabled residents from care homes in the path of the blazes.

According to Spanish TV News on Antena Tres, Pedro, forced out of his home in Villa del Prado on Thursday afternoon, spent a sleepless night in his car with his family and voiced the worry many locals share. “If the animals in the safari park stampede, they will bring the fences down, and then we really will have a Jumanji situation on our hands,” he said. The park covers 80 hectares and sits close to the fire front that has already driven more than 10,000 people from their homes across Villa del Prado, San Martin de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa and Aldea del Fresno.

Dangerous animals locked down as carers work through the night

Staff at Safari Madrid moved the most dangerous animals into secure enclosures overnight. Park officials confirmed every creature is safe and well so far, thanking keepers, Guardia Civil officers and firefighters who stayed on site through the night. “Thanks to the great work of the team of carers, Guardia Civil and firefighters during the whole night, we can confirm.

Care homes emptied as priority shifts to the vulnerable

Madrid regional authorities organised the evacuation of more than 430 elderly and disabled residents from five sociosanitary centres in the west of the region. The biggest single move took place at Aldea del Fresno, where 71 people from the San Juan Bautista care home were taken first to Villamanta. Families have been kept informed while care is reorganised according to how the fires at Villa del Prado and San Martin de Valdeiglesias develop.

A national protocol has been drawn up with the Centre for Subtitling and Audio Description and the Royal Board on Disability, and Fundación ONCE stresses that people with disabilities need particular attention in emergencies. Guidance now covers how to speak to someone who is deaf, guide a blind person without pulling them, and make sure mobility aids and assistance dogs travel with their owners whenever possible. Teams have been told never to leave a wheelchair or guide dog behind and to check carefully what body parts need protecting if someone has to be carried.

🔥 Hoy el peligro de incendios seguirá muy alto o extremo en la mayor parte del territorio pese al descenso de las temperaturas.

➡️ Las condiciones mejorarán algo durante el fin de semana, pero se incrementará de nuevo el peligro en días posteriores.https://t.co/Eyx5iwJ4eV pic.twitter.com/oC4OCTVhSA

— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) July 24, 2026

Families flee with pets and little else

Local resident Jose Cobos left Navas del Rey with his wife and their three dogs after the San Martin fire crossed the San Juan reservoir. They spent the night at his sister’s house in Illescas, Toledo. “It is probable the fire has reached my house,” he said. “The worst part is having no news.” Thick smoke forced them out after the local sports hall filled up. His wife needed a tranquilliser after a night spent crying. The couple took only essentials plus food and medicine for the dogs.

Sigue todo ardiendo. Esto es lo que se ve desde Robledo de Chavela pic.twitter.com/lq7mvbw208

— Nuria Puebla Agramunt (@NuriaPuebla) July 24, 2026

Other residents report similar stories of leaving at speed with almost nothing. Pedro complained of little information and no basic help from groups such as the Red Cross. Many spent the night in cars after being ordered out on Thursday afternoon.

Central government, acting through the Military Emergency Unit, took overall command after Madrid requested the highest emergency level. Fire crews, Guardia Civil and military teams continue working to hold the lines while thousands wait for word on whether they can return home.

🇪🇸 | Los incendios en Madrid se funden en un solo frente y fuerzan la evacuación de Chapinería, Colmenar del Arroyo y Navas del Rey.

La unión de los tres incendios que afectaban a la Comunidad de Madrid en un único frente ha disparado la peligrosidad y ha obligado al servicio de…

— ʜᴇʀQʟᴇs (@herqles_es) July 24, 2026