El Bierzo residents demand urgent wildfire prevention measures

Residents of La Somoza Berciana have launched a petition demanding urgent preventative measures and forest management following a deadly incident in Manzanedo de Valdueza. The tragedy, where two women died and two minors were injured, was caused by a landslide of mud and stones from a hillside previously devastated by wildfires.

The community is calling for year-round forest cleaning and management to prevent erosion and soil runoff in burned areas. The petition, which has gathered over 2,000 signatures in ten days, emphasizes that recovery efforts must extend beyond fire suppression to include long-term risk assessment for nearby villages.

This movement follows two consecutive years of severe wildfire seasons in the El Bierzo region. Recent fires have destroyed hundreds of hectares, including high-value natural and heritage sites such as La Leitosa, and have repeatedly threatened local populations and essential services.