Else Beekman
A wildfire in Pueyo de Araguás, located in the province of Huesca, has already devastated 120 hectares of pine forest, scrubland, and agricultural land.
The fire, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon around 4.50 pm, has led to the precautionary evacuation of 37 residents from the nearby villages of Torrelisa, Aragús, and San Lorién.
Firefighting efforts
The firefighting efforts are in full swing, with six ground brigades and three fire engines deployed. Additionally, extra resources have been provided by the province of Huesca and the Ministry of Ecological Transition, including aerial support.
Javier Fraile, director of the firefighting operations, reported that work continued throughout the night to establish a controlled perimeter. The current priority is to consolidate the right flank, which poses the greatest threat to the nearby villages. According to weather forecasts, the teams are working to prevent the fire from spreading to the rear and left flank.
Level 1 wildfire
Ana Oliván, Director-General of Forest Management for the government of Aragón, stated that the fire began around 5.00 pm on Tuesday in an agricultural area. The fire quickly spread to the surrounding forest, exacerbated by the terrain’s topography. The authorities were forced to activate Level 1 of the Special Civil Protection Plan for Emergency Wildfire Situations in Aragón, leading to the evacuations. Additionally, two high-voltage power lines and the road to Torrelisa, Aragús, and San Lorién had to be closed.
The President of the autonomous region of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, has cancelled his planned visit to Comarca Central to travel to Pueyo de Araguás to inspect the progress of the fire. He will also visit the evacuated elderly residents who have found shelter in a residence in Aínsa.
High risk of wildfires in Aragón
Almost all of Aragón is currently on red alert. This is due to the extremely high risk of wildfires, caused by the ongoing heat and drought. It is suspected that this fire was caused by a short circuit in an agricultural machine. In Aragón, between 20-25% of the wildfires this year have been attributed to the use of engines and agricultural machinery. These incidents are more common in the summer, during the harvest season, when the fire risk is highest.