What changed
2026-08-02 09:46 UTC → 2026-08-02 16:46 UTC ·
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Castile‑León Spain wildfires summer 2026
In late July, a The heat wave ignited that sparked a series of large forest fires across Castile and León, with in Castile‑León in late July continues to dominate Spain’s wildfire season. By early August the Veguellina blaze in Villafranca del Bierzo and the Fermoselle fire in Zamora among the most severe. Over 400 had been reduced to a low‑danger rating (IGR‑1), allowing residents were evacuated from villages such as of Moreda, San Pedro de Olleros, Moreda Olleros and others, while nine fires burned simultaneously, five at the highest danger level, stretching regional firefighting resources. By early August, the Veguellina fire remained at a high danger rating (Potential Gravity Index level 2). More than 250 ground Prado de Paradiña to return home. International crews from Germany and 15 aerial units, including a German convoy under the EU firefighting support mechanism, were deployed. Strong winds breached firebreaks, prompting preventive evacuations of nearby villages, but containment Serbia remained on the northeast front was achieved and the A‑6 highway reopened. Nearby fires in Fermoselle and Burgohondo were downgraded, and manual work continued on inaccessible slopes. ground supporting containment. On 1 August, August the Burgohondo fire re‑ignited in Ávila, forcing Ávila re‑ignited, prompting the evacuation of the La Picota urbanisation in La Adrada under an ES‑Alert. Intensive aerial and ground operations later stabilised the closure blaze after it had burned more than 50,000 ha. Other incidents emerged across the country: a truck fire on the Autovía de la Plata in Cáceres forced the preventive evacuation of about 800 people; the AV‑930 road (km 1.3‑4.5) under an ES‑Alert. The Veguellina Senet fire in Vilaller (Lleida) was downgraded to Index of Potential Gravity 1, allowing residents reignited by storm‑driven winds, generating a pyrocumulus and requiring extra helicopters and specialised units; fires in Córdoba’s Traslasierra and Cortaderas areas stayed under surveillance; and the Community of Moreda, Madrid closed the San Pedro de Olleros and Prado de Somoza Juan reservoir to return after three days. The Unidad Militar de Emergencias ended its involvement, while German bathing and Serbian assistance continued. Later that morning, authorities confirmed the Veguellina fire now covered about 1,400 ha with a 27 km perimeter. A localized hotspot persisted on navigation because of the northern flank, prompting ongoing monitoring. International crews from Germany were on Sierra Oeste fires. Overall, Spain has burned over 186,000 ha in 2026, far exceeding the same period in 2025, and firefighting resources—including more than 250 ground crews, 15 aerial units and a Serbian convoy was expected, reinforcing the continued vigilance to prevent re‑ignition. EU‑supported foreign contingents—remain fully engaged.