King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia traveled to northwest Spain to personally assess the aftermath of devastating wildfires that have destroyed more than 400,000 hectares. The royal couple’s visit to the affected areas proved challenging: heavy smoke forced a partial program cancellation, and the helicopter’s landing in the Forcadura canyon in the province of Zamora was hindered.
What the monarchs witnessed in the Sanabria region and especially in Las Médulas made a strong impression. From the Orellán viewpoint, they saw the scorched landscape of the unique natural park, home to ancient Roman gold mines listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King Felipe could not hide his emotions upon seeing the burned chestnut groves. The scale of the environmental disaster is immense: in the province of León alone, the fire destroyed nearly 10% of its territory.
After surveying the devastation, the monarchs descended to Lake Carucedo, where they met with leaders of the affected municipalities and local community representatives. After listening to a technical specialist’s report, the king addressed those present. He described what he saw as a tragedy of enormous proportions, but also expressed hope for the future. According to the monarch, the park’s central, most valuable area adjacent to the Roman mines was saved, and much work lies ahead in the recovery effort.
Felipe VI emphasized that the main purpose of his conversations with mayors and residents was to understand their pressing needs and learn how they see the region’s future. The King noted that for these people, it is not just a devastated landscape, but a blow to their daily lives, personal property, and an economy dependent on local resources. He stressed the need to join efforts to restore economic activity in the affected area.
The royal couple’s visit took place against a backdrop of social tension. In both Zamora and León, there were shouts criticizing the president of Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, and one entire fire brigade refused to greet him. The itinerary was likely carefully planned to avoid a repeat of the tense moments experienced last year in Valencia.
Despite official meetings, some residents expressed disappointment. One woman from the village of Médulas, speaking on behalf of her neighbors, shared a sense of abandonment. She pointed out that people had expected the monarchs to visit the destroyed villages directly, where homes burned and businesses suffered. According to her, the residents felt alone in their plight, as they were the first to fight the flames that reached the chestnut groves several days before fire crews arrived.
The monarchs’ tour of the affected regions will continue. Their schedule includes visits to several towns in Galicia, particularly in the province of Ourense, as well as meetings with farmers and a visit to a local school. The tour will conclude in Extremadura.
