Forest fire in El Pueyo de Araguás: evacuated residents return home

The forest fire that has affected the municipality of El Pueyo de Araguás in the province of Huesca continues to be a cause for concern, although authorities have reported that it has shown favorable progress, allowing the decision to allow evacuated residents to return to their homes. According to data provided by the Government of Aragon, the fire has consumed around 150 hectares of land, however, the efforts of emergency teams have managed to partially contain its spread. The Operational Coordination Center (Cecop) has given the green light for evacuated residents to return to their homes, and has deactivated the operational Level 1 situation of the Special Civil Protection Emergency Plan for forest fires (Procinfo). This decision was the result of a meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance, Interior, and Public Administration, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, the Director General of Interior and Emergencies, Miguel Ángel Clavero, and the Director General of Forest Management, Ana Oliván. Despite allowing the return of the evacuated residents, firefighting efforts are ongoing, as the fire remains active and deployed teams continue to work intensively to control the flames. The origin of the fire is attributed to a harvester operating in a cereal field in El Pueyo de Araguás, which triggered the preventive evacuation of three nearby population centers. Regarding the resources deployed to combat the fire, there are currently 6 ground brigades, 3 fire engines, 1 bulldozer, Nature Protection Agents, technicians, and the Advanced Command Post (PMA) of Civil Protection in operation. The Provincial Government of Huesca has provided 2 fire engines and 2 water tankers, while in the aerial realm, 4 helicopters and 4 helitransport brigades from Infoar are involved in firefighting operations. The Spanish Government has also contributed aerial resources, allocating 4 seaplanes and 2 helicopters from the Daroca BRIF, as well as a firefighting helicopter. The collaboration of volunteers from Civil Protection, Red Cross, social workers from the Sobrarbe Region, and the Civil Guard has been crucial in evacuation and support tasks for those affected by the fire. During the day, the restoration of electricity supply in the area has been requested, as a medium-voltage line was affected by the fire, leaving several population centers without power. Efforts have focused on areas with difficult access due to the terrain's topography, and it is expected that the intensity of firefighting operations will be maintained in the coming hours, as the fire has not yet been completely controlled. Despite the favorable situation that has allowed evacuated residents to return home, the importance of maintaining vigilance and efforts to completely extinguish the fire remain a priority. The solidarity and coordination among the different entities and organizations involved in the emergency have been key to managing this situation effectively and protecting the affected population.