Spain's Biggest Fire This Year Burns 12,000 Acres, More Than 1,100 People Evacuated

Photo: Anadolu Agency

JAKARTA - Spain's largest forest fire this year has burned an area of about 12,000 hectares in Zaragoza Province. More than 1,100 people were evacuated, while the fire is still active and continues to spread.

Anadolu Agency reported on Friday, July 17, citing Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, that the fire started in the Cinco Villas area on Wednesday. As of Friday, the fire was still quite active and spread significantly throughout the night.

The fire forced evacuations in five areas in Zaragoza and one area in Navarre. Some of the Cinco Villas area is still imposing restrictions on entry and exit.

The fire is spreading within a perimeter of about 60 kilometers. Two sections of road in the Cinco Villas area remain closed, although electricity supplies have been restored throughout the affected area.

Around 400 ground personnel and 19 aircraft were deployed in the extinguishing operation on Thursday. Throughout the night, officers focused on protecting residents' homes in Uncastillo.

Spain is also still facing another fire. A fire in La Mierla, Guadalajara Province, has burned about 900 hectares and triggered evacuations and restrictions on activities in surrounding settlements.

The local government requested the assistance of the Spanish Military Emergency Unit. Around 100 personnel were then sent to support the firefighting operation.

The third fire near Lozoyuela, north of Madrid, showed better progress. However, emergency services said the fire was not under control and its spread had not been completely contained.

The fire has burned nearly 70 hectares.

The Guardia Civil police arrested a man suspected of starting a fire in the Madrid region. The regional government said it would join the legal process as a civil party.

High temperatures, strong winds, low humidity, and the abundance of vegetation after a wet spring were reported to have accelerated the spread of the fire.

Experts also said climate change and the neglect of rural areas were factors that increased the risk of forest fires.