Aragon forest fire near Zaragoza triggers UME deployment

Leciñena forest fire Aragon UME activation Zaragoza wildfire Special Civil Protection Plan Mar Vaquero

A forest fire broke out on 30 June in the Sierra de Alcubierre, within the municipality of Leciñena, Zaragoza province. By the afternoon the blaze had burned close to 500 hectares, driven by strong winds of 50‑60 km/h.

The regional government activated the Special Civil Protection Plan for emergencies at operational level 2, which includes the deployment of the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME). Around 250 personnel, aerial units from the Aragon emergency service (Infoar), the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, and several helicopters, ground brigades and bulldozers were sent to the site. Vice‑president and spokesperson Mar Vaquero inspected the incident, emphasizing coordination among regional, municipal and national forces.

Local volunteers and neighbours set up a municipal warehouse to provide food and supplies for the responders. The fire has so far not reached populated areas or critical infrastructure, but authorities warned that conditions could worsen overnight.