Sierra Norte wildfire recovery in Guadalajara

Following a major wildfire in La Mierla that destroyed over 34,000 hectares, recovery efforts in the Sierra Norte region of Guadalajara have transitioned from immediate damage control to infrastructure repair and environmental protection.

By late October, local authorities reported the completion of road repairs spanning 56.71 kilometers across 28 municipalities. Regional government funding has been allocated for natural restoration, road repairs, and support for the tourism and primary sectors, including 12 million euros specifically for the restoration of the La Mierla area.

In November, focus shifted toward erosion control and water management. The Tagus Hydrographic Confederation constructed 2,088 small dams, or albarradas, to prevent ash and sediment from entering reservoirs. These measures are critical for the Beleña basin, which provides water to more than 400,000 people. Authorities have also increased monitoring at the Mohernando drinking water treatment plant to manage risks from organic matter and metals entering the supply.