El Abuelo chestnut tree saved from wildfire in Spain

El Abuelo chestnut tree El Tiemblo wildfire community defence

The 500‑year‑old chestnut tree known as “El Abuelo” in the Iruelas Valley natural reserve near the town of El Tiemblo, Ávila, central Spain, was threatened by a severe wildfire that began on 23 July near Burgohondo. The fire, one of the most intense in recent years, burned roughly 77 000 ha of forest and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.

Around 120 villagers, equipped with shovels, rakes, hoes, vehicles and construction equipment, formed an improvised line of defence to protect the tree. Retired laboratory technician Javier Garcia, 67, spent four days on the front line, arriving at dawn and staying until sunset. Residents such as Jose Carlos, a 50‑year‑old quality‑control technician, also took part, while volunteers prepared meals for the defenders. Mayor Arturo Varas said the tree is the emblem and greatest treasure of El Tiemblo.

Firefighters focused on safeguarding homes, and after eight days the blaze was contained. The flames stopped before reaching the chestnut grove, sparing El Abuelo, though a neighboring pine forest was destroyed.

Entities

Arturo Varas · Burgohondo · El Abuelo (chestnut tree) · El Tiemblo · El Tiemblo (village) · Iruelas Valley Natural Reserve · Javier García

Claims

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

[● 14 SOURCES] Javier Garcia, 67‑year‑old retired laboratory technician, spent four days defending the tree. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · +9 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Around 120 residents formed a line of defense with shovels, rakes, hoes, vehicles and construction equipment to protect the tree. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Firefighters focused on protecting homes while the surrounding pine forest burned; the fire was contained after eight days. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] El Abuelo is about 25 m tall and its trunk circumference exceeds 15 m. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 14 SOURCES] The fire burned about 77 000 ha of land. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · +9 more
[● 14 SOURCES] El Abuelo is located in the Iruelas Valley natural reserve near El Tiemblo, Ávila, central Spain. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · 1001infos.net · www.businessdaily.gr · +9 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The chestnut tree “El Abuelo” is over 500 years old. www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · www.newsbeast.gr · lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · +9 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Mayor Arturo Varas said the tree is the town’s emblem and greatest treasure. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · +9 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The tree is about 25 m tall and its trunk circumference exceeds 15 m. www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · www.newsbeast.gr · lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · +9 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The wildfire burned about 770,000 ha of land. www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 14 SOURCES] The fire started on 23 July near Burgohondo. www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · www.newsbeast.gr · lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · +9 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The tree is located in the Irueña Valley national forest, province of Ávila, near Madrid. www.businessdaily.gr · athina984.gr · www.newsbeast.gr