Spain's largest wildfire of the year forces hundreds to flee in Aragon

The largest wildfire of the year in Spain is devastating the northeastern region of Aragon, consuming nearly 12,000 hectares, an area exceeding the size of the German island of Sylt. The fire, which ignited on Wednesday, continues to rage out of control, according to regional president Jorge Azcón.

Authorities have ordered the evacuation of over 1,100 residents from five villages in the province of Zaragoza, Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba, and Uncastillo, as well as from Petilla de Aragón in the neighboring Navarre region. The fire poses a significant threat due to strong, shifting winds, high temperatures, and low humidity, creating a high risk of further spread.

More than 400 emergency personnel, supported by numerous helicopters, water-bombing planes, and the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), are engaged in a difficult battle against the flames. Firefighters focused on protecting residential areas in Malpica de Arba and Uncastillo overnight and Friday morning. The blaze has already damaged ten houses in Asín and other properties, and a goat farm has been destroyed. Power outages are ongoing in Asín and Orés.

Spain, along with Portugal and other European nations, has been grappling with a series of severe wildfires this year. Last week, a fire in Andalusia claimed 13 lives, primarily elderly foreign residents. Since the start of the year, wildfires have scorched over 70,000 hectares across Spain, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.

“

The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, is still out of control.