Fire raged through Zamora, pushing the region’s emergency services to the limit as a brutal Saturday of gusty winds, heat, and advancing flames unfolded. Fire in the heart of Sierra de la Culebras spread toward yesterday across the Tera valley, threatening multiple towns and underscoring the severity of the blaze that, by official counts from the Junta de Castilla y León this Saturday afternoon, has burned more than 25,000 hectares — the most devastating wildfire in the autonomous community’s recorded history (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
Even as the day wore on, the emergency status remained at level 2, with hopes that the flames would retreat giving way to relief for those watching their homes. The extreme danger at Otero de Bodas was eclipsed by a broader effort, as responders and residents teamed up to defend properties and slow the spread of the fire across the province. As the situation intensified, more personnel joined the operation to stabilize the affected zone, reflecting a sustained campaign against a highly unpredictable foe (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
Several soldiers were pictured working on the Zamora fire, reinforcing the sense of a large, coordinated response (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
Currently, upward of 550 soldiers are engaged in the battle against a fierce blaze that adapts to changing conditions all day long. The effort drew support from across regions including Galicia, Extremadura, Cantabria, Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, and even Portugal. Commanded from the Sarracín center, the operation aimed to curb the fire’s advance, with the Tera region bearing a particularly dramatic impact as flames swirled through dry landscapes.
Parallel to the firefighting, the fire crossed into areas near the N-631 highway, disrupting rail service and forcing Renfe to suspend high-speed trains between Zamora and Ourense until further notice. Road closures also complicated travel, with main routes like the A-52 and several secondary roads blocked to keep passengers safe while crews worked to gain the upper hand (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
Passengers affected by the disruption faced decisions about whether trains would stop in Zamora or continue toward Galicia. Some questioned Renfe’s routing choices, asking for viable alternatives, but many ultimately returned to Madrid as the situation evolved and safety constraints remained paramount (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
evacuations
In towns such as Olleros, Junquera, Vega de Tera, Calzadilla, and Pumarejo, the fire’s fury forced rapid containment measures and extensive evacuation operations. Residents from Villardeciervos, Ferreras de Abajo, Ferreras de Arriba, Junquera, Olleros de Tera and surrounding communities sought shelter, with Litos and Villanueva de las Peras added to the list late in the evening. The current tally of evacuees across the province stands around 2,200, a sobering reminder of the wildfire’s reach (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
As more troops arrived to support firefighting efforts, some professionals noted how harsh the conditions remained. The anticipated cool-down hoped for today could offer relief, yet the immediate reality underscored the volatile nature of the blaze and the strain it imposed on responders and residents alike (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
León looks hesitant
From León, concern persisted about the fire’s potential to reach neighboring areas. In the coming hours, aerial and ground teams would continue to focus on safeguarding urban centers and protecting homes and local businesses that already faced widespread disruption and loss of natural surroundings.
Protection work conducted in the last hours concentrated on key communities, including Villardeciervos, Ferreras de Abajo, Junquera, and Olleros de Tera, where dedicated efforts, sometimes reinforced by residents, helped spare several residences and vessels from burning (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
Community solidarity surged again this Saturday, with many people offering support via social networks. The regional government acknowledged the challenges of wind and heat, which complicated firefighting conditions, earning widespread public support. Critics did voice concerns about prevention strategies, but the day also highlighted a shared resolve to protect lives and property (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).
In the Sierra de la Culebra and the Tera Valley, the expected toll will be tallied in the days ahead. Even under the best possible conditions, the report until now signals substantial damage to historic sites and to the daily lives of residents in affected communities, while the difficult task of reducing destruction continues across Zamora and toward the border (citation: Junta de Castilla y León).