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Spain: La Mierla wildfire reaches 26,000 hectares, breaking Castile-La Mancha record

Herz — World Desk · 20 July 2026 at 18:31 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

A wildfire that started on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in La Mierla, within the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara (Castile-La Mancha, Spain), had consumed 26,000 hectares by July 20, becoming the largest fire in the region's history. The fire's perimeter reaches 120 kilometers. Between 32 and 33 municipalities have been evacuated with over 1,200 people displaced since the night of Sunday, July 19. Regional authorities describe the fire as "far from being under control." No deaths have been reported.

26,000 hectares burned: Castile-La Mancha's largest wildfire on record
32 to 33 municipalities evacuated with over 1,200 people displaced since July 19
Fire described as 'far from being under control' by regional authorities
Approximately 400 personnel deployed, including military reinforcements
No deaths reported as of July 20, 2026

Espagne : l'incendie de La Mierla atteint 26 000 hectares, record historique en Castille-La Manche — Lourdes Cardenal, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

What we know

A wildfire broke out on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in La Mierla, in the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara, a province in Castile-La Mancha, central Spain. According to El País, the fire had consumed 26,000 hectares by July 20, 2026, making it the largest wildfire in the region's recorded history.

The previous record was set in 2005 at La Riba de Saelices, also in Guadalajara province: 13,000 hectares burned with 11 firefighters from Cogolludo killed. The 2026 fire has caused no human deaths.

The fire's perimeter reached 120 kilometers, with 10 kilometers gained during the night of Sunday, July 19 to Monday, July 20. The fire split into two flanks due to wind gusts reaching 50 km/h and the terrain's valleys and ravines.

Evacuations and displaced persons accommodations

Between 32 and 33 municipalities have been evacuated according to available sources at the time of publication. Since the night of Sunday, July 19, an additional 14 municipalities were evacuated and 11 others confined, for a total of over 1,200 displaced persons.

The Red Cross opened emergency accommodation in a gymnasium in Humanes at the start of the fire. A second shelter with 120 beds is operational at IES Brianda de Mendoza in Guadalajara. A third reception center at Residencia de Estudiantes Los Guzmán is being prepared if the situation requires it.

Several holiday camps in the area were suspended. A silica mine in Naharros temporarily halted operations to enable further evacuations.

Response efforts

On Monday, July 20, approximately 400 personnel were fighting the fire, including over 350 UME members and around 30 aerial resources. General Francisco Javier Marcos announced reinforcements of military engineering equipment.

About 50 tractors belonging to farmers from neighboring municipalities, including Soria province, are participating in firebreak construction work to support firefighters.

What authorities are saying

far from being under control
— Juan José Fernández, director of the Infocam of Castile-La Mancha, on the state of the fire

Juan José Fernández, director of the Infocam of Castile-La Mancha, described the fire as "far from being under control." The flames are crossing firebreaks 40 meters wide. He cited potential for "several thousand additional hectares" to burn.

Emiliano García-Page, president of Castile-La Mancha, acknowledged the fire will continue to burn. He assured that the absolute priority is protecting human lives and populated areas.