Aagesen calls for a state pact against fires while fire devastates 12,600 hectares in Zaragoza and forces the evacuation of towns

Sara Aagesen has called for a State pact against the climate emergency amidst a succession of large forest fires in Spain. The third vice-president and Minister for Ecological Transition launched her proposal from Farasdués, where the command post for the Cinco Villas fire is located, the most serious of the fires that remain active this Friday.

The flames have already ravaged more than 12,600 hectares and outline a perimeter close to 60 kilometers. The fire remains out of control and keeps nearly a thousand residents of Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba, and Uncastillo, in Zaragoza, and Petilla de Aragón, in Navarra, out of their homes.

"We are facing an extraordinarily complicated season," Aagesen warned after meeting with the operational leaders and the president of Aragon, Jorge Azcón. The minister called for working proactively, maintaining cooperation between administrations, and making the response to extreme phenomena a stable policy.

The provisional balance already shows the severity of the campaign. Since the beginning of the year, 18 large forest fires have been recorded, and the burned area until mid-July was around 60,000 hectares. These data are still subject to revision and will need to fully incorporate the fires in Zaragoza, Guadalajara, and Madrid.

The Cinco Villas remain dependent on the wind

The fire declared on Wednesday in Orés remains active and out of control. More than 450 professionals are working on the ground, supported by the Military Emergency Unit, forest brigades, more than 120 vehicles, and 14 aerial assets provided by the Ministry for Ecological Transition.

The operation has received resources from several autonomous communities. The priority continues to be to protect the towns and consolidate a perimeter that continues to grow, especially given the wind direction changes expected during the afternoon and night.

The teams were monitoring the left flank due to the southwest wind entering. The forecast of new gusts from the north component, with speeds between 30 and 40 kilometers per hour, could shift the pressure to the opposite side of the fire and reactivate areas that had stopped advancing.

Authorities are ruling out new evacuations for now, but they are also not allowing the return of evacuated residents. Several roads remain closed and some areas have needed direct protection due to the proximity of the flames. The origin of the fire remains under investigation.

Aagesen has highlighted the collaboration with the Aragonese Government and has assured that the central Executive will remain in the area during the extinction and recovery. "Emergencies do not end until recovery", he stated to those affected.

A pact that has been on the table for months

Aagesen's call stems from a political process initiated during 2025. The Government then launched a convention to prepare a pact against the climate emergency with administrations, unions, business organizations, experts and representatives of civil society.

The Executive also approved at the beginning of 2026 a regulation to improve coordination between extinction teams, use common criteria and strengthen the safety of professionals. The request made this Friday seeks to expand that previous work and achieve a lasting agreement between parties and territories.

The management of forest fires corresponds mainly to the autonomous communities, while the State provides aerial means, specialized brigades, Civil Protection resources and UME personnel when requested. Large fires frequently cross provincial and autonomous limits, as is happening between Zaragoza and Navarra.

Aagesen's intervention has not yet included a closed list of measures for the pact. His message has focused on prevention, coordination and adaptation to increasingly adverse climatic conditions. Extreme temperatures, very low humidity, wind and a high vegetation load are favoring fast and difficult-to-contain fires.

La Mierla threatens the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara

The other major open front is in La Mierla, in Guadalajara. The fire has affected approximately 2,000 hectares and has forced the displacement of about 260 people from seven localities.

To the evacuations of La Mierla, Muriel, and Umbralejo have been added those of Almiruete, Palancares, Semillas, and La Nava de Jadraque. Residents are being relocated under the coordination of Protección Ciudadana and the Guardia Civil, while the Humanes sports center functions as a reception point.

The Government of Castilla-La Mancha maintains emergency level 2 activated. The operation involves 73 resources and 358 professionals, along with state personnel and members of the UME. The evolution is particularly concerning due to the fire entering the most ecologically valuable area of the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park. The topography, smoke, and intensity of the flames hinder the work of aerial resources, while ground teams concentrate their efforts on defending the municipalities.

Lozoyuela enters stabilization phase

The situation has improved in the Lozoyuela fire, in the northern sierra of Madrid. The fire has entered a stabilization phase after affecting about 770 hectares and no longer presents active flame fronts, although teams continue to work to prevent flare-ups.

Authorities have lifted the confinements of Buitrago de Lozoya, Manjirón, and Cinco Villas. During the most critical hours, nearly 2,000 people were confined and more than a hundred had to leave isolated homes, in addition to minors evacuated from a camp.

The Guardia Civil maintains a 52-year-old man under arrest as the alleged perpetrator of the fire. The investigation remains open and the Community of Madrid has announced that it will appear in the judicial procedure.

The device remains deployed given the risk that heat and wind could reactivate hot spots. The absence of visible flames allows for a reduction in the emergency, but the fire still requires surveillance, cooling, and perimeter control efforts.

Heat, wind, and extreme risk

Aemet maintains its warning for an episode of very high and persistent temperatures in the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Low humidity and wind gusts increase the danger of spread during the coming days, especially in areas already experiencing active fires.

This year, the agency has launched an index that incorporates the state of vegetation, soil moisture, and type of surface to calculate the danger with greater precision. The tool allows for locating areas with very high or extreme risk and improving the anticipation of emergency services.

Aagesen has asked for "maximum caution" from citizens and has reminded that any oversight can have serious consequences during these days. In Cinco Villas, the wind continues to mark the work of the teams and the evacuated residents still have no date to return to their homes.