Lorraine Williamson
The wildfire that began near Orés has now affected approximately 15.400 hectares across Zaragoza’s Cinco Villas area, leaving seven communities evacuated as hundreds of firefighters continue working around a perimeter of roughly 60 kilometres.
Conditions improved slightly overnight, but the blaze remains active, with high temperatures, exceptionally dry vegetation and changing winds threatening to undo progress made by emergency crews.
Seven communities remain evacuated
Residents have been forced to leave Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba, Peraltilla and Uncastillo in Zaragoza province, together with Petilla de Aragón in neighbouring Navarra. More than 1.000 people have been affected, with some staying with relatives or friends and others receiving temporary accommodation and practical support in Ejea de los Caballeros.
The estimated area affected by the fire has risen from around 12.000 hectares on Friday morning to approximately 15.400 hectares on Saturday. Emergency crews made some progress overnight after changing winds and improved humidity slowed the flames along parts of the perimeter, but several fronts remain active and continue to demand close attention.
Crews continue defending villages
Protecting populated areas remains the priority for an operation involving hundreds of firefighters and more than 20 aerial resources. Uncastillo came under intense pressure when flames reached the surrounding landscape, although crews managed to prevent the fire from entering the historic town centre.
Luesia and other evacuated communities have also required defensive work as the direction of the blaze has shifted. Emergency teams are using roads, cultivated land, agricultural machinery and natural breaks in the terrain to create containment lines, with aircraft supporting ground crews whenever wind, smoke and visibility allow.
The fire remains under level-two emergency arrangements. Aragón’s wildfire service is being supported by the Military Emergency Unit and specialist teams from other parts of Spain, while local farmers have also helped by using machinery to remove vegetation and strengthen firebreaks.
Damage spreads across farms and countryside
Asín suffered the most serious confirmed property damage during the early stages of the emergency, when flames entered the village and affected several homes. The full extent of the losses across Cinco Villas remains unclear, as assessment teams cannot safely inspect all affected areas while the fire remains active.
Alongside damage to homes, the blaze may have destroyed agricultural buildings, crops, woodland, pasture and livestock. Even in communities that escaped direct damage, the loss of machinery, grazing land and access routes could have serious and lasting economic consequences for farming families.
Residents will not be allowed to return until emergency teams have assessed nearby fire fronts, road access, electricity supplies and the possibility of renewed outbreaks. For many evacuees, the uncertainty over what remains of their homes, land and livelihoods is becoming one of the most difficult parts of the emergency.
Other fires remain active in Aragón
The Orés blaze is by far the largest wildfire in Aragón, but emergency crews are also dealing with several incidents elsewhere in the region. A fire near Plan in Huesca province remained active on Saturday morning, although higher humidity and lower overnight temperatures helped to slow its spread.
Teams there were concentrating on preventing burning material from rolling down the mountainside and starting new fires in a nearby ravine. The Jánovas fire had been stabilised but continued to pose difficulties because of poor access and rising daytime temperatures, while fires at Castanesa and La Fueva were reported to be under control. Another blaze at El Pueyo de Araguás remained active but was moving towards rocky ground with less vegetation.
Cómpeta confinement lifted after Árchez fire
In Málaga province, the wildfire that began near Árchez on Friday afternoon was stabilised at 11.40 pm. The fire had forced authorities to confine the neighbouring municipality of Cómpeta for more than five hours because of heavy smoke and concern over the direction of the flames, but the restriction affecting the main town was lifted at around 9pm.
A total of 162 people were evacuated from scattered rural properties in Árchez, Cómpeta and Canillas de Albaida. Residents of El Atajo, Loma de Árchez and Las Zorreras were unable to return immediately and were offered alternative accommodation and assistance.
No injuries were reported. INFOCA crews remained in the area overnight with 105 personnel, two fire engines, a mobile meteorological unit and a medical team, continuing to cool the perimeter and watch for possible flare-ups.
Guadalajara fire reaches protected landscape
Firefighters are also continuing to battle the La Mierla wildfire in Guadalajara’s Sierra Norte, which had affected more than 3,400 hectares by Saturday morning. Eleven communities have been evacuated, while more than 300 emergency personnel are involved in the response.
The fire has entered the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park, an area of considerable environmental importance. Difficult terrain, wind and dense smoke have complicated the operation, with residents remaining away from affected villages while crews focus on protecting populated areas and slowing the advance of the flames.
Extreme conditions across Spain
The simultaneous fires are placing significant pressure on regional and national emergency resources at a time when high temperatures, dry vegetation and low humidity have created dangerous conditions across much of Spain. Wind remains one of the greatest concerns because a sudden change in direction can quickly push flames towards communities or areas that had previously appeared safe.
Residents and visitors should avoid travelling towards active fire zones, respect road closures and follow evacuation or confinement instructions immediately. Anyone who sees smoke or flames should move away from the area and call 112 rather than approaching to take photographs or watch emergency teams at work.
The modest improvement recorded overnight around parts of the Zaragoza fire does not mean the emergency is close to ending. A blaze covering approximately 15,400 hectares and extending around a 60-kilometre perimeter will require sustained work before it can be stabilised, controlled and eventually extinguished.
For the evacuated residents of Cinco Villas and Petilla de Aragón, the immediate question remains when they will be allowed to return home. That decision will depend on the behaviour of the fire, the safety of access roads and the condition of essential services, while emergency teams across Spain face another difficult day protecting communities and areas of significant environmental value.