Aragon's Orés forest fire sees evacuated residents return home

The forest fire that broke out near Orés in the Cinco Villas region of Aragon has burned a provisional 15,696 hectares and created an 80‑kilometre perimeter. After days of evacuation, the regional government has authorized the return of residents from Luesia, Uncastillo, Malpica de Arba, Asín and Orés. The return is being carried out in organised convoys after the Guardia Civil and the General Directorate of Roads confirmed that the main access road meets safety standards. The affected villages have water, electricity and telephone service restored, allowing inhabitants to resume daily life.

Aragon’s Minister of Finance, Interior and Public Administration, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, said: “Luesia, Uncastillo and Malpica de Arba have water, electricity and all basic services, so residents can now go back to their homes.” The fire remains active and the emergency is kept at Operative Situation Level 2. Small re‑ignitions were recorded on the night of Sunday but were contained without incident. Over 450 responders, more than 30 aerial units and a section of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) from Madrid have been deployed, although a burnt telephone repeater has hampered communications in some zones.