Fire in the Montaña de Riaño: a difficult summer, a stronger autum
In August, we went through a difficult time with the wildfire in the Montaña de Riaño, which affected several villages in our region of León. The flames put residents, firefighters, and an entire territory in a critical situation, a territory that has risen again stronger than ever. But if there is one thing that defines us in this land, it is resilience, and this autumn we are waiting for you with open arms and a great desire to share its timeless beauty.
The villages affected by the wildfire in the Montaña de Riaño
In August 2025, the Montaña de Riaño suffered major forest fires. Specifically, there were three fires that affected the municipalities included in the Tourism Sustainability Plan area of the Montaña de Riaño. According to the European Commission’s Copernicus Forest Fire Monitoring System, the most serious due to its size (19,112 ha) and damage occurred in the eastern municipalities (Tierra de la Reina municipalities included in the Regional Park of the Montaña de Riaño and Mampodre). A second fire took place in the municipality of Posada de Valdeón, affecting 1,181 ha, including land in Asturias (Picos de Europa National Park), and a third, smaller fire occurred in Maraña (697 ha).
For several days, more than a hundred residents fought tirelessly. “I’ve been awake for 32 hours,” said one of them. Many refused to leave their homes. “If we left, everything would have burned,” another resident explained.
The Civil Guard ordered the evacuation of up to eight municipalities, but local involvement was key. In the midst of chaos, people organized themselves to create firebreaks, clear vegetation, and remove brush. Everything with a shared goal: to protect what is so hard to preserve.
The key role of the residents
When the mountain burns, it is not only the landscape that is affected: lives, homes, livestock, history, and culture are also put at risk. That is why the inhabitants of the Montaña de Riaño took the initiative themselves.
With basic tools and great determination, they organized shifts to contain the advance of the fire. This civic response has been an example of how a rural community comes together in difficult times.
Fortunately, fog, humidity, and dropping temperatures helped. The situation improved, and many of the evacuated residents were able to return to their homes.
A regenerating landscape and a region waiting for you
It is true that the fire left its mark, but it is also true that nature has a great capacity for regeneration, especially in environments like ours.
As autumn approaches, the forests begin to turn shades of red and ochre. Hiking routes remain open, wildlife reappears, and rural accommodations come back to life.
This autumn, the Montaña de Riaño opens its doors again with more enthusiasm than ever. We want you to come, to discover our villages, to sit on our terraces, to enjoy the local cuisine, and to walk the same paths that helped save all of this.
What you can do this autumn in the Montaña de Riaño
If you are considering an autumn getaway, here are some ideas:
Walk the Cares Route
Climb to the Llesba Viewpoint
Visit the Ethnographic Museum in Riaño and stroll along the marina
Explore the trails of Oseja de Sajambre, in the heart of the National Park
Enjoy a traditional Leon mountain stew in Acebedo or Boca de Huérgano
In addition, following the wildfire, many local associations have organized volunteer days, cleanup efforts, and reforestation activities, in case you would like to actively help.
Thank you for being here, and for coming back
The wildfire in the Montaña de Riaño reminded us how fragile everything is. But it also showed how strong we are when we stand together.
Today more than ever, we need you. Your visit is a way of supporting our villages, their people, and their small businesses. And in return, you get to enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Spain.
We are waiting for you this autumn with open arms.