A wildfire in Zaragoza's Cinco Villas has burned nearly 12,000 hectares. Six towns have been evacuated and over 1,100 people affected. Authorities warn the fire remains uncontrolled and the risk of spread is high.
Nearly 12,000 hectares have been scorched in the ongoing wildfire that erupted Wednesday in the Cinco Villas area of Zaragoza, now marking the largest forest fire in Spain this year. The blaze remains active and out of control, with authorities warning that the risk of further spread is still very high. The perimeter of the fire has reached 60 kilometers, and emergency services continue to operate under the highest alert level for forest fires in the region.
Six towns have been evacuated as a precaution: Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba, and Uncastillo in Cinco Villas, along with Petilla de Aragón in Navarra. More than 1,100 residents have been affected by these evacuations, though officials currently do not anticipate further displacements. The A-1204, CV-813, and A-1202 roads remain closed due to the fire, and the power line between Asín and Orés is still down.
Over 400 personnel, supported by dozens of helicopters and water bombers from both the regional and central governments, are engaged in firefighting efforts. The Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) has deployed three sections, and reinforcements have arrived from Navarra, Castilla y León, La Rioja, and Comunidad Valenciana. Overnight, teams focused on protecting homes in Malpica de Arba and Uncastillo, while in Asín, ten houses and a goat farm have suffered damage from the flames.
Regional president Jorge Azcón expressed hope that a shift in wind direction could help bring the situation under control, but stressed that the fire remains uncontained. Interior Minister Roberto Bermúdez de Castro cautioned that the perimeter cannot yet be considered secure, and the risk of further expansion persists. The Special Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fires (PROCINFO) remains at Operational Situation 2, Level 2.
On Friday, Sara Aagesen, Spain's third vice president and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, visited the command post in Farasdués. She highlighted that 50,000 hectares have burned across Spain since the start of the year, with 18 major wildfires recorded—three times more than at the same point last year. This surge underscores the urgent need for prevention and caution, as emphasized by the minister during her visit.
Spain has faced a series of severe wildfires in recent years, with climate conditions and land management practices contributing to increased risk. The current situation in Zaragoza follows other significant incidents, such as the deadly blaze in Almería, where authorities recently managed to contain the fire and identify victims, as reported in coverage of the Los Gallardos fire response. The ongoing emergency in Cinco Villas highlights the persistent threat of wildfires to rural communities, infrastructure, and the environment across Spain.
Forest fires in Spain are most common during the dry summer months, but recent years have seen an extension of the fire season due to changing weather patterns. The combination of high temperatures, prolonged drought, and strong winds can quickly turn small outbreaks into large-scale emergencies. Authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to follow official instructions and remain vigilant as firefighting operations continue.
