The forest fire in the Cinco Villas area of Zaragoza has burned more than 15,000 hectares and keeps several towns evacuated as it remains unstabilized.
The Cinco Villas wildfire has affected the municipalities of Uncastillo, Orés, Asín, Luesia and Malpica de Arba. Flames surrounded the historic center of Uncastillo and damaged the Ermita de la Virgen de San Cristóbal, though the core has been saved so far.
More than 15,000 hectares have burned in what is considered the largest wildfire recorded this year in Spain and the second most devastating in Aragon since records began. Hundreds of personnel from the Gobierno de Aragón, the UME and the MITECO work along an 80-kilometer perimeter to contain flare-ups.
Neighbors and volunteers organize supplies for extinction teams from Uncastillo’s Plaza del Ordinario. Uncastillo mayor Teresa Pueyo thanked the collaboration among firefighters, the UME and farmers to protect the urban area.
The fire remains active on Saturday despite containing its advance, hampered by shifting winds and high temperatures. Authorities ask for respect for the privacy of evacuees sheltered in Ejea.
