Wildfire in Orés Remains Out of Control as Evacuations Expand
A fast-moving wildfire in the municipality of Orés, Zaragoza, remains active and out of control, forcing regional authorities to expand evacuation orders to include the village of Malpica de Arba. The Government of Aragón maintains the Situación Operativa 2 – Nivel 2 of the regional forest fire protection plan (PROCINFO), as shifting winds complicate suppression efforts across the area.
Current Status of the Orés Fire
According to the latest updates from the Government of Aragón, the blaze has moved northwest during the night, breaching the A-1204 road. This highway served as a primary control line for emergency crews throughout Wednesday. The fire’s behavior is described as complex, with unpredictable wind patterns hindering the ability of ground crews to contain the perimeter. Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, the regional Minister of Finance and Interior, stated that technical teams consider this one of the forest fires in Aragón with the greatest potential for both growth and destruction.
Evacuation and Emergency Response
Emergency services have utilized the ES-Alert system to notify residents of the necessary evacuations. The towns of Orés, Asín, and Luesia were cleared, followed by Malpica de Arba. Displaced residents are currently receiving support in Ejea de los Caballeros. As a precautionary measure, the government also coordinated the transfer of residents from care homes and assisted living facilities in the affected municipalities to Zaragoza.
The firefighting operation currently involves approximately 170 personnel. The response is a multi-agency effort, including:
- Aragón’s INFOAR fire brigades
- The Military Emergency Unit (UME)
- The Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigade (BRIF)
- Zaragoza Provincial Council Firefighters
- Firefighting units from Navarra
Operational Outlook
Commanders are planning a rotation of ground crews throughout the morning. Authorities intend to deploy aerial assets during the early hours of the day. The Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI) is scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m. to assess the overnight progress and determine the next phase of the containment strategy. The regional government is expected to release a formal update on the fire’s status immediately following this meeting.