A fire in Leciñena (Zaragoza) scorches a thousand hectares in two and a half hours

An intense wildfire has erupted in Leciñena, a town located in the province of Zaragoza, Spain, rapidly consuming over 1,000 hectares of forest within just two and a half hours. The fire broke out in the Sierra de Alcubierre region, which is known for its natural beauty and historical significance, including the route of the trenches from the Spanish Civil War known as Orwell's Lines. This incident follows closely on the heels of another fire that had been contained in Tamarite, Huesca, just one day earlier.

The situation has raised significant concern among local authorities, particularly the regional government. Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, the counselor for Finance, Interior, and Public Administration, expressed deep worry during a meeting held at the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI) in the 112 Emergency Response Room. He emphasized that this fire is far more alarming than the previous one due to its rapid spread and the nature of the terrain, which is predominantly forested. High temperatures, reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius, combined with strong winds known as the cierzo, have created extremely dry conditions, contributing significantly to the intensity of the blaze.

Despite these challenging circumstances, there is some hope that the relative humidity, now above 30 percent, will help reduce the intensity of the flames. However, forecasts indicate that tomorrow will bring strong gusts of wind, making it a particularly difficult day for firefighting teams. Authorities acknowledge that they are not optimistic about the current situation and stress the need for continued efforts using all available resources to manage the fire effectively.

The response to the fire has been extensive, involving ground units from Infoar, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (Miteco), and the Unified Firefighters Corps (UME). These teams continue their work throughout the night, anticipating the return of aerial support at dawn. Efforts are focused on identifying the edges of the fire to contain its spread, although the fire has already crossed into the province of Huesca and is advancing toward the municipality of Robres.

Authorities have not yet announced plans for evacuations or lockdowns in nearby towns, but they remain vigilant regarding the movement of smoke and flames. There is speculation that the fire might have originated from a harvester, according to information shared by Vice President of the government, Mar Vaquero. In preparation for the anticipated challenges ahead, the regional government is seeking assistance from neighboring regions such as Catalonia, Valencia, and Castilla y León. They also plan to alert the central government in case additional amphibious aircraft are needed for relief operations, ensuring pilots can rest after what is expected to be a very demanding day.

In addition to the ongoing firefighting efforts, road access has been affected. The A129 highway connecting Zaragoza to Sariñena is closed between Leciñena and Alcubierre, spanning kilometers 25 to 39. This closure impacts travel in the area and underscores the scale of the emergency being managed by local and national authorities. As the situation develops, the focus remains on containing the fire and protecting both human lives and the environment from further damage.