More than 15,400 hectares have burned in Zaragoza’s Las Cinco Villas region after a wildfire that began Wednesday near Orés continued spreading overnight. The Government of Aragón reported early this morning that milder northern winds had helped contain the fire’s left flank, particularly in sectors 5 and 1. Despite that progress, the situation remains volatile: several municipalities are still under threat, and emergency teams are rotating shifts to sustain the response.
Overnight, Longás was placed on standby for a possible preventive evacuation. Isuerre and Lobera de Onsella were also warned to prepare. On Friday, flames reached the outskirts of Luesia, putting its urban center at risk, and crossed the road between Luesia and Uncastillo at several points. The regional interior minister called it the most challenging wildfire Aragón has faced in recent years, citing unpredictable winds and difficult terrain. Authorities made defending Luesia a priority, concentrating impressive resources there to keep the fire from reaching the town center. Fire fronts shifted and flare-ups recurred throughout the day, but officials confirmed that the municipality was protected.
About 450 personnel and 22 aerial units were deployed on Friday. Ground teams from the Government of Aragón, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), Guardia Civil, firefighters, Civil Protection, Red Cross, emergency medical services and social services supported the operation, alongside teams from collaborating autonomous communities. The UME alone contributed more than 330 personnel. Eighteen government crews and additional resources from local and national agencies also joined the effort. Officials said the priority remained protecting residents and anticipating sudden changes in the fire’s behavior.
At a meeting of the CECOPI emergency coordination committee, authorities also discussed temporary housing for residents displaced since Wednesday. Many spent a third consecutive night at the Ejea de los Caballeros sports center, but officials have yet to detail specific relocation options.
Elsewhere in Aragón, the wildfire near Plan in Huesca province slowed overnight as humidity and lower temperatures limited its advance. Authorities warned, but, that burning debris continues to roll down slopes and could fuel uphill runs as conditions change. The right flank and head of the fire are currently less concerning as they move toward areas with little vegetation. Efforts are focused on keeping the left flank from reaching a ravine that could accelerate the fire’s spread.
The fire near Fiscal is considered stabilized, but aerial operations will continue because of its high potential, especially with temperatures expected to rise on Saturday. The Government of Aragón said ground access remains nearly impossible, making containment more difficult.
This crisis follows several severe wildfires in Spain in recent years. A previous fire in Orés destroyed more than 12,000 hectares and forced evacuations in several towns, as detailed in this report on earlier wildfire evacuations in Zaragoza province. Such fires show the challenges that extreme weather and difficult terrain pose for managing large-scale blazes across the region.
By October 2026, restoration work was being planned for the Orés fire area, spanning the municipalities of Orés, Asín, Ejea de los Caballeros, Luesia, Biota and Uncastillo. The Aragón Government’s environmental department met with municipal representatives to identify local priorities and plan measures to limit erosion and help vegetation recover. Proposed work includes small barriers in ravines and gullies, fascines on slopes, straw cover to protect soil and on-site wood shredding. Priorities depend on erosion risk, slope, soil conditions, vegetation recovery potential and access to affected land.
The Orés blaze was part of an exceptionally severe regional fire season. Aragón reported five major forest fires and 35,675 hectares burned across the region in 2026. That total covers the wider campaign and is separate from the 15,400-hectare estimate for the Las Cinco Villas fire. The regional assessment called the campaign “extraordinarily complex,” reflecting the scale and number of major fires.
The impact also reached local businesses and self-employed workers. Under Aragón’s emergency aid program for businesses affected by the summer fires, the regional Department of Economy, Competitiveness and Employment had received 44 applications by October, including 18 linked to Orés-Cinco Villas. Those 18 applications sought €80,397.90, of which €74,670.78 was initially considered eligible. That eligible amount is not the same as aid paid out. The structure was established by Order ECE/1370/2026, dated 23 September, which set urgent rules and opened a subsidy call to repair damage and compensate losses. The National Commission on Markets and Competition registered the measure as file AE/CNMC/054/26, state-aid reference SA.125095.
Wildfires have become a more frequent threat in Spain, particularly during droughts and periods of high temperatures. Strong winds, dry vegetation and rugged landscapes often complicate firefighting. Spanish authorities have invested in expanding aerial firefighting fleets and improving coordination between regional and national emergency services. In Las Cinco Villas, the response has highlighted the importance of acting quickly and preparing communities as climate conditions continue to lead wildfire risks across the country.
