ZARAGOZA — Firefighters continued battling Spain's largest wildfire of the year in the northeastern region of Aragon on Sunday as high temperatures, dry vegetation and shifting winds hampered efforts to contain a blaze that has already burned more than 15,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents, regional authorities said.
The wildfire, which broke out near the municipality of Orés in Zaragoza province on July 15, has spread across the Cinco Villas district and remains under a Level 2 civil protection emergency because of the threat to populated areas and critical infrastructure, according to the Aragon regional government. The emergency has prompted the deployment of Spain's Military Emergency Unit alongside regional and national firefighting teams.
Authorities said hundreds of firefighters, supported by more than 20 aircraft during peak operations, have been working to prevent the flames from reaching additional communities. Several villages were evacuated as a precaution, while nearby municipalities remained under alert because changing winds continued to affect the fire's behavior.
Officials attributed the rapid spread of the fire to extreme heat, low humidity and strong winds that have affected much of Spain during successive summer heatwaves. Fire crews have also faced difficult terrain, complicating containment efforts despite extensive aerial and ground operations.
The Aragon blaze is one of several wildfires burning across Spain, where authorities have warned that elevated temperatures and prolonged dry conditions continue to create a high wildfire risk. Separate fires have also affected parts of Guadalajara and the Madrid region, stretching emergency resources during a period of heightened fire danger.
Spain has experienced repeated episodes of extreme heat this summer, with officials and meteorological agencies warning that recurring heatwaves have increased the likelihood of fast-moving wildfires across large areas of the country. European authorities have similarly reported elevated wildfire risks in several Mediterranean countries following prolonged hot and dry weather.
Emergency services continued monitoring the fire on Sunday while maintaining evacuation orders in affected communities. Regional authorities said firefighting operations would continue until the blaze is brought under control, with weather conditions remaining a key factor in the response.
