A presumed arson fire in the Asturian locality of San Antolín de Ibias has necessitated the mandatory evacuation of residents from the villages of Villamayor and Villarcebollín as a precautionary measure.
The Principality has declared a voluntary evacuation for the areas of Dou, Andeo, Piñeira, and Centenales due to the rapid spread of the fire, which emergency services are currently working to contain.
The Emergency Service of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA) reported last night that there were eight fires being monitored, six of which were active: those in Ibias, Degaña, Genestoso in Cangas del Narcea, and Somiedo in Caunedo/Gúa/Perlunes, as well as two in Tineo. The fires in Ponga and Cabrales had already been stabilised.
Signs of a Deliberate Fire
The President of the Principality, Adrián Barbón, presided over the meeting of the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi) last night and stated that initial indications suggest the fire was intentional.
This fire is advancing more rapidly than others the Asturian autonomous community has faced, attributed to wind speed, which has overcome the forest fire barriers available to the villages, according to the regional government’s chief.
Drone Footage
The intensity of the flames is evident in the videos being disseminated on social media by SEPA and the Asturias Fire Service.
Below, we reproduce two of these videos shared on the social network X, showing drone footage of the fire with thermal imaging:
Establishing Defence Lines
Emergency service efforts are currently focused on establishing defence lines to contain the advance of the flames, which have compelled Cecopi to make “difficult” decisions, as indicated by Barbón.
“This is an area with quite a few firebreaks,” he added. “However, the speed at which the fire has progressed is such that we are witnessing it break through existing firebreaks, many of which are in very good condition, having been maintained over recent years.”
“Even so, we are seeing how they are unable to halt the fire’s advance,” the president emphasized.
Wind: A Key Factor in the Fire’s Progress
The first call to the 112 emergency services reporting the fire came at six o’clock yesterday evening. Due to its rapid spread, it was immediately decided to evacuate the local population, according to SEPA.
Due to the hazards posed by smoke to both residents and emergency services operating in the area, a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for Villamayor and Villarcebollín, along with a voluntary evacuation for the nearby areas of Dou, Andeo, Piñeira, and Centenales. The president has urged citizens to comply.
Redirecting Resources and Equipment
This new outbreak has necessitated the diversion of resources and equipment from the Degaña fire, which is now working on the ground to establish defences to contain the flames.
During the night, containment efforts were carried out on existing firebreaks to prevent their spread, and heavy machinery has been mobilised to establish defence lines to protect potentially affected communities, as airborne resources can only operate during daylight.
Mobilisation Efforts
Firefighters from Asturias, the Tineo Fire Brigade, the UME, French volunteer firefighters, and two forestry companies are currently on-site. Additionally, there is a helicopter from the Asturias Fire Service and the Ibias water-bombing helicopter, along with a Foca amphibious aircraft and two Lima helicopters dispatched by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (Miteco).
The ERIE Psychosocial and Shelters of the Red Cross has been activated to assist evacuees, as reported by SEPA.
The President of the Principality has appealed to citizens to adhere to the decisions made by the crisis response team and collaborate with firefighters, the Civil Guard, and emergency services.
The Degaña Fire
Meanwhile, efforts to extinguish the Degaña fire continue, focusing on the border between Asturias and León.
In Anllares de Sil, from where this fire originated, an area of pine forest has necessitated the redirection of three aerial resources and the Brif Puerto de Puerto Pico to this zone to assist in extinguishing efforts.
Aerial Support
Asturias Firefighters are also involved in these operations. In the Asturian sector of the fire, the Asturias Fire Service, the Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigade (Brif) from Tineo (2) and Ruente, the Navarra brigade, and the Military Emergency Unit (UME) are active, alongside four aerial resources: a helicopter from the Asturias Fire Service, a water-bombing helicopter from Ibias, and two Brif helicopters, as well as four bulldozers.
The UME and Brif have installed three auxiliary water refill tanks, capable of holding between 12,000 and 16,000 litres.
The Genestoso-Somiedo Fire
In the Genestoso–Somiedo fire, which originated from the Orallo fire in León, efforts have focused on cooling all elevated areas. Extinguishing operations yesterday involved Asturias Firefighters, UME personnel, a forestry company, and a retro-pump, along with a Lima helicopter from Miteco.
The Somiedo Fire
Regarding the Somiedo fire (Caunedo-Gúa-Perlunes), operations have taken place between the col of Arenas and Perlunes, to the east of the Peña de la Mochada. Asturias Firefighters, the Environmental Guard, and two forestry companies have been involved, supported by two aerial resources: a helicopter from the Asturias Fire Service and a Lima helicopter from Miteco.
The Tineo Fire
Efforts to extinguish the fire declared in Tuña, Tineo, involve Asturias Firefighters, a forestry company, and a helicopter from the Asturias Fire Service. Additionally, the fire at Bustellán, also in Tineo, is being managed by Asturias Firefighters.
