Spain's Burgohondo wildfire, the largest on record, burns over 50,000 hectares

Burgohondo wildfire 50,000 hectares Spain forest fire Veguellina fire Moixent fire

The Burgohondo forest fire in Ávila, which began on 22 July 2024 after a spark from a machine, has scorched more than 50,000 hectares, making it the biggest wildfire in Spain’s history. The blaze forced the evacuation of fifteen villages and an urbanisation, affecting over 40,000 residents. As of early August the fire is in a “favourable” situation, with the Index of Potential Gravity (IGR) held at level 2 and continuous 24‑hour monitoring to prevent re‑ignitions.

Other major fires in the country are also stabilising. The Veguellina fire in Villafranca del Bierzo (León) has been downgraded to IGR 0, eliminating risk to nearby populations. The La Mierla fire in Guadalajara, which burned about 32,000 hectares, is now declared controlled but remains under active surveillance. In the Valencian Community, the Moixent and Morella fires were extinguished, while the Vall d’Uixó fire continues to be monitored, having burned roughly 9,568 hectares of the Sierra de Espadán.

Experts warn that the Burgohondo forest will need decades to recover; the ecosystem is expected to look different and may require 70‑80 years for substantial regrowth.

Entities: Burgohondo · Burgohondo wildfire · Castilla y León · José Francisco Hernández Herrero · Junta de Castilla y León · Margarita Hernández · Moixent fire · Veguellina fire · Ávila province

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Burgohondo fire is currently at IGR level 2 with a favourable situation and active 24‑hour monitoring. (official update)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Experts say the Burgohondo forest may need 70‑80 years to recover and will not return to its original state. (expert comment)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Burgohondo fire started on 22 July 2024 after a spark from a machine. (report)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Veguellina fire in Villafranca del Bierzo has been reduced to IGR 0, eliminating risk to nearby populations. (official update)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Moixent and Morella fires in the Valencian Community were extinguished, while the Vall d’Uixó fire has burned roughly 9,568 hectares. (official report)
[● 2 SOURCES] The La Mierla fire in Guadalajara, which burned about 32,000 hectares, is now declared controlled but remains under active surveillance. (official update)
[● 3 SOURCES] The Burgohondo fire burned over 50,000 hectares, the largest wildfire in Spain's history. (multiple sources)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Burgohondo fire forced evacuation of fifteen villages and affected more than 40,000 people. (report)