Two Major Wildfires Burn Nearly 25,300 Hectares in Central and Northeastern Spain

Two major wildfires remained active Sunday in northeastern and central Spain, with emergency services directing resources at a blaze near La Mierla in Guadalajara province and another near Orés in Zaragoza province. The La Mierla fire, which began Thursday roughly 100 kilometres northeast of Madrid, has burned almost 9,900 hectares. The Orés fire has consumed more than 15,400 hectares.

Firefighters worked through the early hours of Sunday on the La Mierla blaze, attacking its southern edge near Gascueña de Bornova while protecting the villages of Navas de Jadraque and Bustares. Officials in Castilla-La Mancha said strong south-westerly winds drove extreme fire behaviour, with flames advancing faster than 60 metres per minute.

Authorities have evacuated 16 villages and surrounding areas, including communities near the Beleña reservoir.

Spain’s Civil Guard is investigating the cause, which authorities believe may involve agricultural work with a combine harvester. The Orés wildfire showed favourable overnight behaviour, allowing crews to add aircraft and ground teams. Around 450 firefighters and emergency personnel are assigned to the operation.

The villages of Orés, Así́n, Luesia, Malpica de Arba and Uncastillo remain under evacuation orders, while residents in Sos del Rey Católico, Navardún, Urríes and Castiliscar are on alert. Aragón’s 112 emergency service rejected online rumours that tractors were required.

Additional fires continue in Huesca province near Plan, though spread slowed overnight, and near Fiscal, where the blaze has been largely stabilised.

In southern Spain, crews are tackling blazes near Laujar de Andarax in Almería and Purullena in Granada, with favourable progress reported at the latter. Residents of Árchez in Málaga province returned home after a nearby fire was contained. Authorities in the Madrid region brought a wildfire near Lozoyuela under control after it burned more than 700 hectares.