Residents of El Morro, a hamlet near Navas del Rey an hour west of Madrid, are returning to their homes almost a week after being evacuated due to wildfires. The fires consumed tens of thousands of hectares of land west of the Spanish capital.
Upon returning on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, residents found burnt-out cars, charred hedges, and the smell of smouldering wood. Some are contacting insurance companies, while others are clearing debris.
While some houses were gutted by fire, others were spared, though gardens and patio furniture were destroyed. Mercedes Merino, a long-time resident, found her house intact but her garden blackened and her swimming pool sooty. Javier Herraiz and his family returned to minimal damage, including a warped pipe and a lost rainwater tank.
The returning residents are reportedly in shock and struggling to process the devastation. Eva Manso, whose home was protected by a brick wall, stated, "We've never been through anything like this."