The forest fire in Peñarroya de Tastavins is still active. This has been confirmed by the president of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, who has pointed out that «the night has been favorable, but the fire is still active and, at the moment, work is being done to perimeter it». He also highlighted the work of the «more than 300 troops deployed in the area», including members of the Government of Aragon, the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and firefighters from the provincial councils of Teruel and Castellón, as well as land and air resources.
At the moment, the fire has burned «more than 300 hectares and the perimeter is around eight kilometers,» reported the Aragonese president. In addition, Azcón has called for caution before some hours that will be «decisive» due to the increase in wind from 2:00 p.m., with gusts that could reach 45 kilometers per hour, until 7:00 p.m.
The director of firefighting, Rubén Hernández, has also pointed out that the evolution of the fire is, for the moment, favorable, although he has called for «caution» in the face of the worsening of the wind conditions expected during the central hours of the afternoon. In this sense, Hernández stressed that «late in the afternoon we will be able to make a more realistic assessment, when the worst period for reproductions has passed».
At this time, Azcón has pointed out that the main concern continues to be «the head of the fire and the right flank», and added that it is still «fundamentally that the fire does not jump the stream and that it cannot spread to the Sierra de Fuentespalda«. In addition, Hernández has stressed that one of the main objectives is «to prevent the fire from crossing the river» and, for this, «we have a very important provision of means in that area».
- LOW RISK FOR POPULATION CENTRES
- THREE FIREFIGHTERS INJURED
LOW-RISK FOR POPULATION CENTRES
Regarding the effect of the fire on population centers, Azcón stressed that «the effect on population centers is not non-existent but it is true that it is very low» although he insisted that «there is no zero risk». In addition, he added that the fire «has not affected any farmhouse either».
For his part, Hernández has assured that «he has no record of livestock farms having been burned», although he has acknowledged that he still «does not have all the data on the possible damage caused by the fire».
THREE FIREFIGHTERS INJURED
The work has so far left three firefighters injured. A firefighter from Castellón suffered a fracture in the ulna and radius yesterday and is evolving favorably. In addition, two firefighters from the Teruel Provincial Council were injured on Monday after the truck in which they were traveling overturned.
