The fire declared in Larouco (Ourense) has become the largest recorded in Galicia since there is data, with an area that already exceeds 20.000 hectaresThe front remains active and, due to its behavior, is keeping several municipalities in eastern Ourense and southern Lugo on edge.
Despite some improvement at night due to humidity, The fire remains out of control in key areas, with a very demanding orography that complicates access. The province of Ourense maintains the Situation 2, which implies a strong mobilization of resources and protection protocols for the potentially affected population.
How and where the fire is advancing
The fire started on Wednesday, August 13, in the area of Seadur. and spread rapidly. In the early stages, the virulence of the front forced urgent action on several flanks to try to stop its advance toward inhabited areas.
In the first hours, and before the arrival of more resources, Neighbors and Civil Protection helped contain the flames along with a small Petín truck, while firebreaks were being prepared to protect the nearby areas.
The mayor of Larouco described three well-defined fronts: one towards Seadur, another towards Trasmunde and a third, the most dangerous, towards Freixido, next to residential areas and industrial warehouses.
As the days passed, the fire the Sil River jumped at numerous points and entered the Lugo municipality of Quiroga. The extension and the slope of the land have given rise to a front with several kilometers in length, difficult to approach by land.
In addition to Larouco, the fire has affected O Barco de Valdeorras, O Bolo, Carballeda de Valdeorras, A Rúa, Petín, Rubiá, A Veiga and Vilamartín de Valdeorras, and pushes the limits of the O Courel mountain range, an area of high environmental value.
Municipalities and services affected in Valdeorras and Quiroga
The evolution of the front in Valdeorras forced to evacuate Mones and Carballal (Petín) due to the proximity of the flames and the density of the smoke. A group of 35 people spent the night in the A Rúa pavilion, which also houses part of the device.
Extinguishing work and the presence of smoke led to cutting off the final section of the OU-636 (Trives–Freixido), with detours and restrictions to ensure safety in the area.
At various times they were recorded power outages and a drop in water pressure. Residents of areas like Carballal reported that they irrigated farms and margins to prevent the fire from reaching the homes, which was hampered by the lack of light.
The core of the issue is of concern O Seixo (Petín), since their only access route could be compromised, which is why they were assessed preventive confinement measuresIn Larouco, municipal services arrived to prepare the eviction. from the nursing home if the situation required it.
The advance of the flames forced to reinforce the surveillance in Portela of Portomourisco and Camporredondo, where aerial means operated with retardant to protect a butane cylinder warehouseAccording to local authorities, the risk has been contained at that point, but the area remains under observation.
The economic impact is notable: Vineyards ready for harvest have suffered damage In several locations in Valdeorras, winemakers in the area describe farms burned or surrounded by fire, awaiting a full assessment.
Deployed resources and work on the ground
The Xunta and the inter-administrative device have mobilized a large operation with UME, brigades, motor pumps and aerial means. In the moments of greatest intensity they coordinated more than 130 brigades and nearly a hundred motor pumps, plus helicopters and airplanes support.
Ashore, Shovels and bulldozers opened firebreaks in strategic areas, with special attention to access to cores and the protection of critical infrastructure. Firewalls have been decisive for halt the advance towards Mones and other sensitive areas.
During the first critical night, small planes and helicopters arrived to support the most exposed flanks, while the teams reorganized positions in response to sudden changes in the wind.
Those responsible for the operation insist that the orography and the length of the front They require work in sectors, with air action windows that depend on smoke and flight safety.
Although defensive lines have been consolidated at several points, active foci and reactivations persist in ravines and hillsides, so emergency services maintain continuous surveillance.
Causes, conditions and explosive behavior
The Rural Environment Department pointed out that The Larouco fire crossed the Sil River at numerous points., a fact that illustrates its character explosive and changing during the hours of worst weather.
This is an episode with features of sixth generation fire: very extensive fronts, rapid spread, focal jumps and great difficulty for direct attack, especially in mountainous areas and with fuel accumulation.
Technicians point to the well-known “rule of 30” —temperatures above 30 °C, humidity below 30% and winds of more than 30 km/h— as a combination that increases the risk and favors a erratic progress of fire.
In extreme conditions they can be observed convective columns and clouds associated with fire which complicate operations and favor re-ignitions downwind, a scenario that requires prioritizing the safety of staff and the population.
Local consequences and citizen security
In addition to environmental impacts, the blow to the wine sector Valdeorras is a cause for concern due to the proximity of the grape harvest and the damage to new vineyards and old vines in several municipal areas.
The situation also altered the social life of the region: O Bolo suspended activities of the Feira Irmandiña due to the evolution of the front, a decision taken to avoid risks and free up resources.
In the surroundings of the fire, A resident of Petín was arrested and released after pleading guilty to setting a fire without authorization to open a firewall; the case has reopened the debate on uncoordinated interventions in emergencies.
The Environmental Prosecutor's Office has expressly asked the public not acting on one's own in extinction work, due to the danger of aggravate the situation or block evacuation routesAuthorities recommend following official instructions at all times.
While the deployment on the ground is maintained, Administrations call for caution and avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas so as not to interfere with operations.
The emergency in Larouco It remains marked by an active front, changing conditions and high pressure on several cores.The priority is to consolidate firebreaks, protect the population, and take advantage of weather windows to contain a fire that has already made history due to its size and complexity.