Aragón approves urgent measures for the total eclipse on August 12

The Government of Aragon has approved Decree-law 2/2026, of July 29, which approves urgent measures, between August 10 and 13, for the prevention and anticipation of emergencies as a consequence of the total eclipse visible in Aragon on August 12, 2026. The regulation is published in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado) no. 244, of October 2, 2026, in section I of general provisions (official reference: BOE-A-2026-20473). The measures apply throughout the territory of the Autonomous Community of Aragon.

A phenomenon with better conditions in Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel

The text is based on the fact that the eclipse of August 12, 2026, will be one of the most relevant astronomical events of recent decades and that Aragon is among the territories with the best observation conditions: parts of the provinces of Huesca and Zaragoza, and practically all of Teruel. The phenomenon will take place in the late afternoon hours, with the Sun very close to the western horizon, and the duration of totality will exceed one minute (105 seconds) in numerous localities of Zaragoza and Teruel.

The statement of motives emphasizes that the event will attract the scientific community and thousands of national and international visitors, with a notable tourist and economic impact, but also risks in mobility, security, environment, and public services. Among these, it cites road congestion, the saturation of mobile communications, increased healthcare demand, pressure on protected natural spaces, and the risk of forest fires.

The Government of Aragon bases the regulation on article 44 of the Statute of Autonomy of Aragon, which allows for the issuance of provisional legislative provisions in cases of extraordinary and urgent necessity, and on the exclusive competencies of article 71 regarding civil protection, shows and recreational activities, and forests and livestock routes.

Public shows: illegal rave parties, prohibited

The decree-law modifies Law 11/2005, of December 28, regulating public shows, recreational activities, and public establishments in Aragon. The possible celebration of rave parties or unauthorized mass gatherings on the occasion of the eclipse has highlighted deficiencies in the current regulations, which did not allow these events to be considered prohibited shows by the mere fact of lacking administrative authorization.

The new wording incorporates as a prohibited spectacle the holding of meetings, parties, or events that gather people to witness or participate in public shows or recreational activities when they lack the mandatory enabling title. Furthermore, the regime of provisional measures is reinforced, and the sanctioning regime is completed to extend administrative liability to the organization and preparation of these events.

Prohibitions to prevent forest fires

Regarding fire prevention, and in application of the consolidated text of the Aragon Forestry Law and Order AGM 681/2023, of May 23, the decree-law prohibits during those days:

• Lighting fires in the rest areas of the road network, recreational areas, and campsites, including those enabled for such purposes.
• Throwing or abandoning burning objects or any material capable of originating a fire.
• Introducing and using pyrotechnic material in the mountains and within a radius of 400 meters.
• Accessing the mountains with motorized vehicles by persons not involved in surveillance, extinction, and management, with exceptions for owners, enabled parking lots, tourist accommodations, hospitality, professional activities, urban environments, and emergency operations.

Non-compliance will constitute a serious infringement, punishable by a fine of 1,001 to 100,000 euros in accordance with article 125.1.b) of the consolidated text of the Aragon Forestry Law.

Authorized camping and validity

For exceptional security reasons, the regulation authorizes as campsites the four declared Official Observation Points (POGA)—Javalambre, Épila, Calamocha, and Alcañiz-Motorland—as well as the local points of Ariza and Cariñena. The validity is limited to the days of August 10 to 13, both inclusive.

The decree-law was signed in Zaragoza on July 29, 2026, by the President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón Navarro, and the counselors Roberto Bermúdez de Castro Mur (Finance, Interior, and Public Administration) and Luis Biendicho Gracia (Environment and Tourism). It was published in the Official Gazette of Aragon no. 147, of July 31, 2026, and was validated by agreement of the Cortes of Aragon published in the same gazette no. 186, of September 24, 2026.

The impact of the regulation is direct for the municipalities of the three Aragonese provinces located in the totality strip: it establishes the rules for security, mobility, and use of the natural environment during the week of the eclipse and empowers the Security Forces and Corps to act immediately against unauthorized gatherings. With this, Aragon seeks to turn the event into an engine for territorial development without compromising the safety of residents and visitors.

Source: Official State Gazette, no. 244, of October 2, 2026, section I. General provisions, page 128856 (official reference: BOE-A-2026-20473).