An unprecedented sentence has been handed down in Asturias: a local resident who started major wildfires near Oviedo last year will spend eight years behind bars. This is the harshest verdict for forest arson in the region’s history. The court found that the man’s actions put dozens of lives and health at risk, and caused enormous damage to nature and property.
The accused, a 47-year-old resident of Llanera, has been in custody for nearly two years. At the time of the crime, he suffered from severe alcohol and drug addiction, but began rehabilitation after his arrest. The court ordered him not only to pay substantial compensation to the victims, but also to continue treatment for his addictions.
The wildfire that shocked the region
On the night of March 31, 2023, the man drove a rented white van to Naranco Mountain. There, using a lighter, he set fire to shrubs in two spots by the roadside, not far from the Buenos Aires restaurant. That night, fire danger was at its highest, and the flames quickly swept through nearly a hundred hectares. Half of this area was eucalyptus forest, with the rest made up of other trees and dense undergrowth.
The fire destroyed not only vegetation, but also caused serious damage to private property. Residents of several villages were evacuated; houses, farm buildings, equipment were damaged, and livestock perished. More than sixty landowners, as well as local businesses, the church, and the municipality suffered losses. The total damages from the fire and firefighting expenses exceeded forty thousand euros.
Second Attempt and Consequences
An hour and a half after the first arson, the accused went to another location—near Andorsio (Llanera). There, he again set dry leaves on fire by the roadside, which sparked a new blaze. This time, the fire spread over eight and a half hectares, destroying most of the forest and shrubs across four properties. The damage to nature and firefighting costs amounted to several thousand more euros. Fortunately, no one was harmed in this instance, but both the municipality and private individuals suffered losses.
The court took into account that the defendant pleaded guilty and agreed to undergo treatment. Nevertheless, such a severe sentence sent a clear message to anyone willing to endanger others for the sake of their impulses. Regional authorities stress: crimes like these will not go unpunished, and damage to both nature and people will be fully compensated.
