The Guardia Civil has arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of a wildfire offence in connection with the fire near Las Peñas de Riglos (Huesca province). According to investigators and information from regional authorities, the environmental unit Seprona discovered a depot of construction materials at the suspected point of origin of the fire, linked to work on the road A-132 . Whether the fire actually started at this depot is the subject of ongoing investigations.
The wildfire broke out on Monday and remained active until Thursday night. According to the latest provisional perimeter from INFOAR around 5,705 hectares have been affected. The incident command maintained the classification Situación Operativa 2, Nivel 2 under the Aragon emergency plan PROCINFO . As a precaution, around 100 people were evacuated from a nearby campsite late on Wednesday evening. In addition, the N-240 was closed; the villages of Santa Cilia and Binacua were placed under special protective measures. Emergency crews focused on preventing the fire from spreading towards the natural and cultural heritage of San Juan de la Peña .
Facts: The 28-year-old’s arrest by Seprona on suspicion of a wildfire offence, the evacuation of a campsite, road closures and the provisional area mapped by INFOAR are confirmed. Regional authorities confirmed the operational classification under PROCINFO and the place and road names mentioned.
Attributed claims: Investigators and official statements report that a materials depot from work on the A-132 was found at the fire’s point of origin. This has led to the possibility that the construction work may have played a role in starting the fire. Separately, the work on the A-132 had previously drawn local criticism, including over concerns about fire risk.
Forecasts and outstanding questions: The cause, perpetrator and any possible motive remain unknown. The final extent of the damage can only be established once perimeter surveys and forensic examinations are complete. Depending on the investigation’s findings, criminal and civil liability on the part of the companies and clients involved, as well as questions about official oversight, may become relevant. Until the matter is resolved, the focus remains on containing the fire, protecting the public and infrastructure, and stabilising the emergency response.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).