[EN] The Riglos fire, one step closer to being controlled: the last evacuees return home

After a week of favorable evolution, and after having managed to stabilize it, the fire of Las Peñas de Riglos is one step closer to being controlled. This was assured this Friday by the general director of Interior and Emergencies of the Government of Aragón, Miguel Ángel Clavero, who has reported that the residents of Santa Cruz de la Serós, the only town that was evacuated, will be able to return to their homes throughout the day.

They will have to wait a few hours, the general director has stressed, and it is that some «hot spots» in the area are still active. «As soon as it is seen that the situation is completely safe, they will return to their homes throughout the day,» said Clavero. The general director has trusted that the fire can be considered under control between this Friday and Saturday, although he warns that total extinction will have to wait a few more days.

Despite the improvement in the conditions of the fire, the Integrated Operational Coordination Center has decided to maintain the current level of emergency. However, once the relocation is completed, the emergency may be reduced to Operational Situation 2, Civil Protection Level 0, at which time the fire can be considered controlled. In total, the emergency forced the relocation of 1,046 people from 19 towns, who were transferred mainly to Jaca and Ayerbe.

THE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL OPERATION CONTINUES

Surveillance and control work continues on the ground to prevent any reactivation of the flames. The means, specifically, are 3 light helicopters, 1 coordination helicopter, 10 ground crews, 3 helicopter crews, 7 fire trucks, 1 bulldozer, 1 advanced command post vehicle and specialized technical personnel. Likewise, intense work is being done to guarantee basic services (electricity, water and telephone) in the municipalities affected by the fire.

As for communications, all roads are already open, with the exception of the A-1603, from Santa Cruz de la Serós to the Botaya junction which, for safety reasons, will remain closed. Clavero has reported that in this environment «there are very large trees that are half burned, which will have to be removed, cleaning of the road and adaptation of the space of the monasteries. When everything is ready, normal activity can be resumed.»

The restriction will be until September 15. In addition, the roads are restricted to facilitate the work of the troops who continue to act in the area, guarantee their safety and avoid any interference in the extinguishing and surveillance work.