Living Sculpture Garden Narrowly Escapes Fire in San Martín de Valdeiglesias

The Bosque Encantado, a botanical garden of living sculptures in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Madrid, avoided destruction during a wildfire on July 29, 2026, as flames came within a few meters of the site.

Aerial firefighting and irrigation ponds in San Martín de Valdeiglesias

The botanical garden was surrounded by two major fire fronts, which El Mundo described as “two giants of fire.” The site remained intact despite the proximity of the flames. The irrigation ponds located on the property served as strategic points for aircraft to collect water, facilitating the suppression of the fire in the immediate area.

Impact on the Bosque Encantado

The Bosque Encantado is characterized by its collection of sculptures shaped from living plants. Because the fire was halted only meters from the perimeter, the botanical assets were preserved.