Wildfire in Zamora's Arribes del Duero forces evacuation of over 800 people from 14 towns, danger remains high
A wildfire that erupted Wednesday afternoon in the Arribes del Duero natural park has forced more than 800 people from 14 towns and confinements in two others, with firefighters battling active fronts amid strong, shifting winds.
Fire erupts in the Arribes del Duero
A wildfire broke out on 29 July at 13:05 near the Picón area of Fermoselle, a town of 1,100 inhabitants in the Arribes del Duero natural park, Zamora province. Temperatures exceeded 35°C and winds were strong, conditions that recalled the 2017 fire that burned 3,500 hectares in the same spot. The mayor of Fermoselle, José Manuel Pilo, said the flames followed the same path as that earlier blaze and that one house and a haystack were already destroyed, while 80 elderly residents were evacuated from a local care home to a sports hall.
Hay mucho olor a humo, rescoldos por las calles y una humareda enorme si se mira hacia Trabanca.
Rapid spread forces mass evacuations
The fire was declared severity level 2 at 14:00, barely an hour after ignition, because of the threat to people and property. Initial evacuations covered seven towns, soon expanding to 11 by evening. On the morning of 30 July, the total grew to 14 localities, Pinilla, Cibanal, Fornillos, Formariz, Zafara, Mámoles, Palazuelo, Cozcurrita, Badilla, Tudera, Argañín, Muga de Sayago, Pasariegos, and Villar del Buey, while Fermoselle and Fariza remained confined. More than 800 people were moved to shelters at the Bermillo sports centre, the Fermoselle pavilion, Neurocare Zamora, and the 3 Árboles residence.
- Fire reported in Picón, Fermoselle
- Level 2 declared, 7 towns evacuated, Fermoselle confined
- Evacuations expand to 11 towns; UME deploys 35 soldiers
- Over 800 evacuees from 14 localities; eastern/northern flanks stabilized, southern/western fronts still active
Firefighting effort and UME deployment
The Junta de Castilla y León dispatched seven helicopters and hydroplanes, eleven environmental agents, six ground crews, four heli-transported squads, eleven pumpers, three bulldozers, and firefighters from Bermillo de Sayago. The Military Emergency Unit (UME) sent 35 soldiers and 13 vehicles from its León base. Roads CL-527, ZA-P-2221, ZA-P-2222, and ZA-P-2226 were closed to traffic. Firefighters focused on protecting population centres; El País reported no serious damage to buildings beyond some unused sheds.
Morning after: flanks stabilized but risk persists
During the night the eastern and northern flanks were stabilized, though many hot spots and difficult terrain remained. The head of the province’s Environment service, Mariano Rodríguez Alonso, said four sectors on the southern and western fronts were still active. Weather forecasts are poor, with long gusts that could reignite the flames.
Las previsiones climáticas son muy malas y no podemos ser optimistas a corto plazo. … No se prevé que hoy se logre dominar totalmente el fuego.
The Junta stressed that while danger had been reduced significantly, the risk remained high and the fire was not expected to be fully under control on 30 July.
