Ángel Martín, a resident of Tábara in Zamora, was among the volunteers who faced flames during last summer’s fires in Losacio. After weeks of fighting to control the blaze, he passed away in the early hours tonight, at age 53, becoming the province’s fourth wildfire casualty of the season. This tragedy follows a long, exhausting struggle in intensive care where his condition had been monitored closely since the blaze began.
Martín became a symbol of local resistance as the fire swept through the area, with dramatic images showing how flames surged and nearly consumed everything in their path. He had attempted to suppress the fire using a tractor when injuries occurred. He sustained burns covering a substantial portion of his body and was rushed to the Burns Unit at Río Hortega University Hospital in Valladolid for specialized treatment.
fourth victim
Ángel Martín, 53, had been admitted to Valladolid Hospital on 18 July. His death marks the fourth fatality attributed to the Zamora forest fires this season.
Earlier in the summer, two other victims were confirmed: Daniel Gullón and Victoriano Antón, a brigade member and a rancher who died while trying to contain the flames. In August, Eugenio Ratón, a resident of Sesnández de Tábara, succumbed after weeks of care in the Getafe Burns Unit.
Commemoration at Manzanal del Barco
A day of solidarity and tribute for Ángel Martín, scheduled for Saturday 29 October in Manzanal del Barco, has been suspended following his passing, according to sources from the town council cited by Ical.
Losacio fire: fastest in history
The Losacio blaze became the fastest spreading fire on record, consuming 10,000 hectares in around four hours. It moved with unusual speed, even surpassing other notorious fires, driven by a hot, dry atmosphere and abundant vegetation. The fire was initially sparked by lightning in some areas, with human involvement suspected in nearby Roelos and Figueruela de Arriba. José Ángel Arranz, the head of Operations, provided updates on the response and ongoing containment efforts.
The emergency response teams faced a highly challenging scene as strong winds and parched landscapes accelerated the spread. Firefighting efforts included coordinated deployments of aerial and ground resources, aimed at protecting communities and critical infrastructure while limiting further damage to the landscape. Authorities stressed the importance of safety and the rapid sharing of situational updates to keep residents informed. (Ical)”