Key facts
- The Cinco Villas wildfire in Zaragoza has burned 12,000 hectares, becoming Spain's largest fire of the year.
- Six villages were evacuated, impacting over 1,100 people.
- A suspect was arrested for allegedly starting the fire, with authorities planning to prosecute.
- Other fires are active in Guadalajara and Madrid, while one in Ciudad Real has been extinguished.
- Factors contributing to the fires include high temperatures, wind, low humidity, and climate change.
The Cinco Villas wildfire in Zaragoza has become Spain's largest of the year, burning 12,000 hectares and forcing the evacuation of six villages. The fire, declared on Wednesday, remains active with a perimeter of 60 kilometers, affecting over 1,100 people. Authorities have arrested a man on suspicion of starting the blaze, with the Community of Madrid planning to act as a popular prosecution.
In addition to the Zaragoza fire, Spain is battling blazes in Guadalajara and Madrid, with another in Ciudad Real now extinguished after burning 800 hectares. The Guadalajara fire has burned 900 hectares and led to evacuations and confinements, prompting a request for military reinforcements. The Madrid fire, while evolving favorably, is not yet under control, having burned 70 hectares and causing evacuations and confinements.
Experts attribute the rapid spread of these fires to high temperatures, wind, low humidity, and abundant vegetation from a wet spring, compounded by factors like woodland abandonment and climate change, which make fires increasingly difficult to control.