The forest fire declared on Sunday in Peñarroya de Tastavins (Teruel) has forced the evacuation of several farmhouses, a hotel and a wedding attended by twenty Italians. The Government of Aragón has kept emergency level 2 active and has deployed the UME.
The fire, which remains active, has burned between 300 and 350 hectares according to initial estimates. Interior Minister Roberto Bermúdez de Castro explained that the alert was received around 15:42 in the Barranco de la Virgen, an area of high ecological value and difficult access due to its terrain and southerly winds.
Civil Protection sent an ES-Alert message to residents of Peñarroya de Tastavins, Monroyo, Fuentespalda and Ráfales advising them to stay in safe places. Several farmhouses, a hotel and the Italian wedding were evacuated, though no one required emergency accommodation.
The A-1414 road between Monroyo and Fuentespalda remains closed. The main goal now is to prevent the flames from reaching the Puertos de Beceite. The minister said the situation has improved compared with the first hours and that wind is expected to decrease overnight and on Monday.
The origin of the fire is under investigation and initial hypotheses point to work at an exploitation involving a transformer or machinery. Resources from INFOAR, MITECO, BRIF Daroca, the Valencian Community and the UME are taking part.
