A wildfire in Tamarite de Litera has damaged over 4,000 hectares, mainly farmland and scrub. Authorities maintain a large emergency response. Restrictions and evacuations remain in place as high temperatures persist.
Emergency services in Aragón remain on high alert after a wildfire in Tamarite de Litera (Huesca) scorched more than 4,000 hectares, mostly agricultural land and scrub, with some pine forest also affected. The fire, which broke out on Thursday, has prompted a major deployment of firefighting resources and forced evacuations in several rural communities. By early afternoon, officials reported that the perimeter was under control and the fire had stopped advancing, but operations continue to secure the area and prevent flare-ups.
Authorities have highlighted the scale of the response, with teams from the Government of Aragón, national agencies, the UME, Generalitat de Catalunya, Comunidad Valenciana, and expected reinforcements from Castilla y León all involved. The subdelegate of the Government in Huesca, José Carlos Campo, confirmed that the current resources are considered sufficient and praised the coordination between agencies. The Guardia Civil remains present to ensure the safety of evacuated residents.
According to Luis Biendicho, Aragón’s Environment and Tourism Minister, efforts are now focused on the right flank of the fire, particularly in sectors to the south and north of the perimeter. The left flank is showing minimal fire activity. While the town of Fonz has been released from confinement due to reduced smoke, 240 residents from Azanuy, Alins, and Calasanz are still unable to return home, though they were allowed brief supervised visits to collect essentials and care for animals.
Officials warn that weather conditions remain challenging, with high temperatures, low humidity, and wind similar to those that fueled the initial outbreak. The main priority is to limit the fire’s spread, especially in forested areas, using both aerial and ground crews. No injuries have been reported, and property damage is described as relatively limited, which authorities attribute to the rapid and coordinated response.
In response to the ongoing risk, the Government of Aragón has activated the Red Alert Plus for extreme wildfire danger across the region for the entire weekend. This measure bans open fires, suspends agricultural and forest burning, restricts machinery that could spark new fires, limits vehicle access to forest areas, and prohibits public or sporting events in high-risk zones. Essential agricultural activities and urgent repairs to basic services are allowed only with strict safety protocols and prior notification to emergency services.
As of 14:00, the firefighting operation includes seven helicopters, a coordination helicopter, seven helitransported crews, eight fire engines, eight ground teams, four bulldozers, technical staff, light vehicles, GADEX personnel, and a technical director. Additional support comes from Civil Protection, 061, IASS, Huesca Provincial Firefighters, Miteco, the Ministry of Defence, Generalitat Valenciana, Catalan Firefighters, Guardia Civil, and the Red Cross, which has prepared 75 beds and emergency support at the Monzón sports hall.
State resources include 148 personnel from three UME sections, six fire engines, a bulldozer, a thermal drone, and aerial assets from Miteco, such as amphibious planes and coordination aircraft. The fire is described as elongated, with the majority of the affected area being farmland and scrub. The operation will continue through the coming hours to reinforce containment and prevent new outbreaks as the region faces another day of heat and low humidity.
Wildfires are a recurring threat in Spain’s rural regions, especially during periods of extreme weather. In recent years, authorities have increased investment in early detection and rapid response systems, but climate conditions continue to challenge even the most robust plans. The Red Alert Plus is the highest level of wildfire risk in Aragón, reflecting the seriousness of the current situation and the need for strict compliance with safety measures.
