Valle de Iruelas / Burgohondo area, Ávila, Spain – Large numbers of vultures circle through the hazy sky above a village street in video filmed by Germán Huertas, with scorched forested hills visible in the background.

The footage shows the birds gathering over the Reserva Natural Valle de Iruelas in the aftermath of the large Burgohondo wildfire. The fire killed many animals, leaving abundant carrion that attracts the vultures.

The blaze began on July 22, 2026, reportedly after sparks caused by heavy machinery in a restricted area. It burned more than 50,000 hectares, making it the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history.

The fire heavily affected the nature reserve, destroying large areas of forest and damaging important wildlife habitats, including one of Europe’s significant black vulture colonies.

At its peak, more than 25,000 people were evacuated from multiple towns, while thousands more were confined.

As of July 29, the fire was technically stabilizing as crews consolidated a perimeter of around 160–180 kilometers. Crews remained on high alert because of heat, low humidity and possible wind.

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