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Two Investigated in 750-Hectare Ponteareas Fire as Prosecutor Seeks Six Years for Vilardevós Arson

The twin cases signal tougher criminal follow-through on negligent as well as deliberate wildfire ignitions in Galicia.

Overview

  • Guardia Civil, which confirmed Wednesday it is probing two men for serious negligence, says the April 6 Serra do Galleiro blaze began during tractor forestry work.
  • The fire raced through 750 hectares across Ponteareas, Mos and Pazos de Borbén after heat near 30°C and strong winds, triggering Galicia’s Situation 2 alert used when flames threaten homes.
  • Crews stabilized the perimeter by nightfall and declared the fire out the next day after rain showers, with 26 brigades, 16 engines, 5 helicopters and 6 planes deployed.
  • In a separate case, prosecutors filed a formal accusation Wednesday in the 578.7-hectare Vilardevós blaze, seeking six years in prison, a €833,786.71 repayment for suppression costs and a fine.
  • The Vilardevós suspect remains in pretrial jail after courts cited serious indications, flight risk and risk of reoffending, and prosecutors describe multiple deliberate ignition points along a local road.