A man has been placed in pre-trial detention without bail for allegedly starting the Peñas de Riglos wildfire. The fire has destroyed over 11,200 hectares and forced evacuations in 18 villages. Authorities continue to battle the blaze.
A man suspected of causing the devastating wildfire in the Peñas de Riglos area of Huesca has been ordered into provisional custody without bail. The arrest follows a swift investigation by the Seprona unit of the Guardia Civil, with support from the Central Environmental Operations Unit in Madrid. The fire, which remains active, has already consumed more than 11,200 hectares in just five days, making it one of the most severe incidents in Aragón in recent years.
Efforts to contain the blaze have been complicated by unpredictable weather. A thunderstorm early in the afternoon triggered erratic fire behavior, hampering firefighting operations and increasing the risk to nearby communities. Emergency teams are prioritizing the protection of two historic monasteries and the town of Santa Cruz de la Serós, though some residents in affected villages have expressed concerns about feeling unprotected as the situation evolves.
Since Monday, authorities have evacuated 18 localities, including Atarés, Anzánigo, and a camp hosting 19 children and 5 adults. These evacuations add to those already carried out in Villalangua, Salinas de Jaca, Ena, Centenero, Santa María de la Peña, Triste, La Peña Estación, Yeste, Bailo, Larués, Arbués, Alastuey, Botaya, Osia, Santa Cruz de la Serós, Binacua, and the Camping Pirineos. In total, more than a thousand people have been displaced as a result of the fire's rapid spread.
According to the Government of Aragón, the right flank of the fire—specifically sectors 2 and 4—remains the most active, while sectors 5 and 6 are experiencing shifting propagation due to erratic winds. In contrast, sectors 1, 3, and parts of 5 on the left flank are showing signs of improvement. The Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña is under close watch, but has not suffered damage so far.
This incident echoes other recent cases in Spain where suspected arson has led to major evacuations and environmental damage. For example, a similar situation unfolded in León, where a suspect was linked to a wildfire that forced the evacuation of several villages and destroyed large areas of land, as detailed in a previous report on a major wildfire in León.
Wildfires remain a persistent threat in Spain, particularly during the summer months when high temperatures and dry conditions increase the risk. The Peñas de Riglos fire highlights the challenges faced by emergency services in protecting both people and cultural heritage sites. The rapid response by the Guardia Civil and ongoing coordination with regional authorities underscore the seriousness with which such incidents are treated. As of now, the focus remains on containing the fire, safeguarding evacuated communities, and preventing further destruction in one of Aragón's most ecologically and historically significant regions.
