The Las Peñas de Riglos fire already covers some 8,000 hectares, keeps almost 900 people evacuated and forces extreme protection in San Juan de la Peña and Santa Cilia de Jaca.
HUESCA. —The gigantic forest fire of The Rocks of Riglos has taken an important turn this Thursday. The Civil Guard has arrested a 28-year-old man for his possible involvement in the origin of the fire, while hundreds of troops continue to fight against flames that advance through an area that is especially sensitive for the heritage, the nearby towns and the environment linked to the Camino de Santiago in Aragon.
The situation continues to be very serious. The fire remains active in Operational Situation 2, the affected surface is already around 8,000 hectares and almost 900 people from twelve towns have had to be evacuated. Besides, Santa Cilia de Jaca and Puente la Reina de Jaca remain confined.
For the Jacobean world, the concern now has an especially significant name: San Juan de la Pena.
The flames reach the surroundings of San Juan de la Peña
The advance of the fire has brought a tongue of fire to the edge of the Protected Landscape of San Juan de la Peña and Monte Oroel, according to the information provided by the Government of Aragon.
The situation has forced the operation to design a specific strategy to protect both the Old Monastery as the New Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, in addition to the population of Santa Cilia de Jaca.
We are not talking about just any place.
San Juan de la Peña constitutes one of the great historical and spiritual enclaves of Aragon. Its protected landscape exceeds 9,500 hectares and is home to an exceptional natural heritage along with one of the most important medieval monasteries in the community.
Its connection with the history of pilgrimages and with the Jacobean territory turns the advance of the fire into news that must also be followed with enormous attention from the Camino de Santiago.
An arrest and an open investigation
While extinguishing teams fight the flames, the investigation into the origin of the fire has recorded an important development.
The Civil Guard has arrested a 28-year-old man for his possible involvement.
The agents of the Seprona They have located at the point where the fire would have started a collection of construction materials from the road works A-132. Investigators are now trying to determine if these materials could be related to the start of the flames.
It is worth insisting on a fundamental aspect: the investigation remains open.
The arrest does not allow us to affirm at this time that the man intentionally caused the fire or to definitively establish how it originated.
It will be the investigation that determines responsibilities.
Almost 900 people evacuated
Behind the figures of burned hectares there are also hundreds of people who have had to abandon their homes.
The emergency keeps almost 900 people belonging to twelve locations, while Santa Cilia de Jaca and Puente la Reina de Jaca remain confined.
During this Thursday it was also ordered by ES-Alert the evacuation of Santa Cruz de la Serós and Binacua. Those who do not have accommodation with family or friends can be transferred to the Jaca Mountain Military School.
The deployed device is huge.
In addition to the resources of the Government of Aragon, personnel from other administrations and the Military Emergency Unit (UME), with around thirty air resources mobilized during the day.
The wind can complicate the situation even more
The fight against the fire is not being easy either.
The complicated orography of the terrain makes work difficult and the forecasts included wind gusts of up to 50 kilometers per hour, a particularly dangerous factor when there are active fronts.
The teams work to consolidate the perimeter, defend the populations and prevent the flames from continuing to advance towards new areas.
The priority is especially concentrated in the San Juan de la Peña sector.
Roads closed: maximum caution
The emergency also affects communications.
They remain cut off N-240, the A-132 between Murillo de Gállego and Bailo, the A-1205 between Triste and Santa María de la Peña and the paved track that connects the N-240 with Alastuey.
This is especially important for any pilgrims or travelers currently in the area.
This is not the time to improvise tours or approach the affected areas to observe or photograph the fire.
The instructions of Civil Protection, Civil Guard and emergency services must prevail over any stage planning.
A route can be modified.
A stage can wait.
Security, no.
A territory deeply linked to the Camino
The fire is hitting an area that is part of the historical landscape through which travelers and pilgrims have traveled for centuries.
He Aragonese Way It enters Spain through Somport and advances towards Puente la Reina de Jaca before continuing towards Navarra, where it ends up linking with the main axis of the French Way.
That is why what is happening in Huesca is not only a major forestry emergency.
It also affects a territory whose identity is deeply linked to heritage, small towns and the culture of pilgrimage.
And the threat to San Juan de la Peña is especially painful.
The Path pending the fire
Tonight hundreds of professionals will continue working while much of Spain watches with concern the evolution of the fires.
Firefighters, forestry agents, Civil Guard, EMU, Civil Protection, pilots and numerous workers are facing extremely difficult days.
The inhabitants of the affected towns also live hours of uncertainty far from their homes or pending the evolution of the fire.
From Camino de Santiago RTV We will remain especially attentive to any changes that may affect the Jacobean territory and the safety of pilgrims.
Because right now the important thing is not to complete a stage or arrive at a certain time.
The important thing is to stay away from danger and let those who are fighting the fire work.
