Causes and socio-economic implications of the Castilian wildfire of 949

According to medieval records, on 1 June 949 a devastating wildfire swept across the northern Meseta, with notable intensity in Bureba region of northeastern Castile. This study examines possible causes conflagration special emphasis anthropogenic factors. In more modern and better documented conflagrations, human mismanagement woodland, leading disastrous build up fuel years before fire, is consistently observed as significant contributing factor. Here I argue that exposed lowland areas flanking Roman road passes through Briviesca, which were vulnerable Muslim incursions, would have been relatively under-exploited until early tenth century. Thereafter they started be fully exploited, period uncontrolled deforestation valley floor, dynamic then contributed severity ensuing fire 949.