Extremadura prepares for a difficult summer due to the high risk of forest fires.

Mérida, May 12 (EFE/EFEverde Delegation).- The Minister of Forest Management and Rural World, Ignacio Higuero, has asked the entire population of Extremadura and visitors to take extreme precautions in the face of a "complicated" summer for forest fires due to the presence of abundant fine fuel, greater than in the previous season.

He made these statements to the media during an informative breakfast on the Forest Fire Fighting Plan (Infoex) on the day the Official Gazette of Extremadura (DOE) published the order declaring the high risk period for forest fires between June 1 and October 15, with northern Cáceres, Siberia and the Sierra Suroeste as the highest risk areas.

Firefighters and forest rangers

The operation will involve 1,000 forest firefighters and more than 270 natural environment agents, among other human resources; while 12 regional government aircraft, including three amphibious aircraft, will be available, in addition to resources from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MITECO).

Higuero emphasized that it has been "an exceptional spring," something farmers and ranchers are grateful for, urging them to keep their pastures protected. However, "unfortunately, the fields dry up, and once they dry up, there's a lot of fine fuel."

The Infoex has carried out its usual year-round fire prevention work by forest firefighters, clearing over 2,000 hectares of forest, conducting controlled burns, and burning under canopy.

Alert from now on

Although the campaign will begin on June 1, he stressed the need to be "on high alert now" and appealed to citizens' responsibility, especially in view of the pilgrimages that will be held for San Isidro on May 15.

"Barbecues are allowed, but we ask that extreme caution be exercised and safety measures be followed," the councilor stated, expressing his conviction that the Extremaduran population has "a high level of common sense" and "there won't be any problems."

One of the new features included in the order is the authorization to burn stubble from dryland herbaceous crops for phytosanitary reasons. This agreement was reached between the Ministries of Forestry Management and Agriculture to meet sector demand. Interested parties must submit a declaration of compliance.

In the presentation, the general director of Prevention and Extinction of Forest Fires, José Antonio Bayón, has specified that these burns will be authorized in the coordination zones of La Serena, Tentudía and Badajoz Centro, for areas that are not in the High Zone

Strengthen coordination

On another note, the minister reported that the Regional Government of Extremadura plans to sign protocols with Castile and León in the remainder of May, and with Andalusia before June 15, to strengthen coordination in the prevention and suppression of forest fires in bordering areas, as it did on May 5 with Castile-La Mancha.

Likewise, the Extremaduran government is working to reach an agreement on this matter with Portugal, a country with which it shares a long border, which would allow "forest firefighters to operate without having to request the relevant authorizations and to extinguish fires when they are just starting."

In a couple of weeks, an inspection campaign will also begin at photovoltaic plants, which will involve sampling around 25% of the total facilities, to ensure that they comply with their technical plans and check that everything contemplated in their safety report, such as the establishment of a belt, is "in perfect condition."

Both the director general and the regional minister emphasized that Infoex does not operate within photovoltaic plants, which are the responsibility of urban firefighters or provincial councils. "We must wait for it to be released."

In this regard, José Antonio Bayón has specified that, according to a study, 30 incidents were recorded at solar plants from 2020 to 2024, 12 in 2024; of which nine were considered forest fires, including the Talaván fire, which burned 870 hectares and for which INFOCAEX was declared operational status I, given its proximity to the town of Monroy.

Arson

However, according to the director general, these types of fires have "very little impact" on forest fire statistics, with intentional fires (43%) and, above all, those resulting from negligence or accidents (54%) being the most common.

This section includes field activities involving the use of radial saws, chainsaws, balers, or harvesters. Hence the importance of adapting to the restrictions and considering night work, as is more common in other regions.

After noting that the average is 700 forest fires per year, with two major fires, he reflected that "there are fewer and fewer fires" because "people are more responsible, but the area is increasing" due to "rural abandonment" and the number of hectares affected by larger fires.

Another aspect highlighted at the briefing breakfast was the strengthening of the fire prevention plan for Monfragüe National Park, which, the councilor explained, has already been drafted, the environmental impact study is being conducted, and construction work "will begin in October 2025."

The goal is to protect this "gem of nature" from forest fires, creating a line of defense, which will include improved access, more firebreaks, and water points for helicopters to reduce response times. EFEverde csc

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