Multiple wildfires in Castilla y León prompt evacuations and highest alert

Two wildfires in Castilla y León forced the evacuation of two villages and prompted the regional government to declare the highest operational alert on July 22, 2026. The Junta de Castilla y León declared Situación Operativa 2 of the Infocal plan due to the simultaneity of serious fires threatening populations Source: elespanol.

Evacuations and response

One of the most severe fires broke out in Villaverde de los Cestos (León), quickly escalating to IGR 2. The flames approached Turienzo Castañero and San Pedro Castañero, leading to preventive evacuations. Residents were moved to a temporary shelter in Matachana, set up for 200 people Source: elmundoes. Firefighting efforts included 51 ground and aerial units, and the Junta requested assistance from the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) Source: elmundoes. The alcaldesa of Castropodame criticized the initial response, stating, "Es inaudito tener que evacuar dos pueblos... los medios no han sido los necesarios" Source: elmundoes.

Escalation of fires

Another fire in Burgohondo (Ávila) also rose to IGR 2, with over 300 hectares of forest at risk and a serious threat to non-forest assets Source: elmundoes. Earlier, a fire in Íscar (Valladolid) had already reached IGR 2 on July 14, but the July 22 fires added pressure Source: abces. The Junta noted that fires in Brieva (Segovia) and Burgohondo were at IGR 1, while Villaverde and La Mierla (Guadalajara) were at IGR 2 Source: elespanol. The situation required coordination across multiple provinces, leading to the regional alert.