The Government establishes the territorial scope of the Sierra Norte Recovery Plan

The Governing Council of Castilla-La Mancha has approved the Agreement of 01/09/2026 determining the territorial scope of the Recovery Plan for the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara, published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha number 169, dated September 3, 2026 (page 31303). The measure is a response to the forest fire declared on July 16, 2026, in the municipality of La Mierla, which spread across a wide territory of the region.

The agreement, adopted upon the proposal of the First Vice-Presidency and through the joint initiative of the competent departments, establishes a common territorial framework to coordinate environmental recovery, infrastructure repair, and the economic and social reactivation of the affected area.

A fire of 34,447 hectares

According to the report on the impact on natural resources prepared by the Vice-Ministry of Environment and the report from the Vice-Ministry of Local Administration and Administrative Coordination, the fire affected an approximate area of 34,447.88 hectares. The magnitude of the disaster caused extraordinary impact on forest masses, protected spaces, water resources, agricultural, livestock, and beekeeping operations, as well as the economic and social activity of the area.

The fire significantly damaged the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park, the La Miñosa Volcanic Hills Micro-reserve, and lands included in the Natura 2000 Network. The technical report further warns of the risk of erosion and ash runoff into the hydrographic network and the Beleña and Alcorlo reservoirs, which requires coordinated protection and restoration measures.

A territorial scope of 53 nuclei

The scope of the Plan is composed of the municipalities, entities with territorial scope smaller than a municipality (EATIM), and hamlets listed in the annex of the agreement:

• 38 municipalities, including La Mierla, Atienza, Cogolludo, Tamajón, Hiendelaencina, La Miñosa, Semillas, Somolinos, and Zarzuela de Jadraque.
• 7 EATIM, such as Aldeanueva de Atienza-Condemios de Arriba, Bochones-Atienza, and Cañamares-La Miñosa.
• 8 hamlets, such as Almiruete-Tamajón, Muriel-Tamajón, and Veguillas-Cogolludo.

Actions may be extended, with justification, to neighboring municipalities when necessary to ensure the continuity or effectiveness of the recovery measures. The scope may be updated by agreement of the Governing Council if new reports certify relevant impacts not initially considered.

Four axes and financing

The Plan will comprise coordinated actions in four areas:

• Environmental and forestry recovery, including the protection of soils, water resources, protected areas, habitats, and affected mountains.
• The repair and improvement of infrastructure, equipment, and public services, particularly roads, rural paths, forest tracks, and water supplies.
• Economic and social recovery and reactivation, with support for local entities, agricultural, livestock, beekeeping, and forestry holdings, freelancers, companies, and commercial, tourism, and service activities.
• The prevention of future fires and the improvement of the territory’s capacity for adaptation.

Funding will be provided by the Contingency Fund provided for in Law 5/2025, of December 19, on the General Budgets of the Junta for 2026, the budget items for 2027, and the earmarked fund established by the sale of forestry resources from the fire, in accordance with Decree 45/2023, of May 4. The aid will be compatible with that from the Provincial Council of Guadalajara and the General State Administration. The agreement, signed by the secretary of the Governing Council, José Luis Martínez Guijarro, takes effect from the day following its publication.

The agreement represents the first step in channeling aid to residents, farmers, livestock breeders, and companies in a region hard hit by the largest fire in the province, and establishes the framework under which the calls for grants will be approved in the coming months.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 169, September 3, 2026, III. Other provisions and acts, page 31303 (official reference: 2026/6425).