Archive · 29 Sep 2025
Spain's Wildfires: Calls for Better Forest Management Emerge
Last summer, Spain experienced its worst wildfires in decades, fueled by a heatwave and dry conditions.
These fires caused deaths and destroyed vast areas of land.
Now, experts and locals are urging the government to improve how forests are managed to prevent future disasters.
The main problem is that there hasn't been enough money spent on preventing fires.
Spain has lots of forests, but many are not managed well.
With fewer people living in rural areas, there's also less help to keep the forests safe.
The government is being asked to offer tax breaks and other support to manage forests.
The government is working to increase investment in wildfire prevention and considers it to be the greatest threat to citizens' security.
Spain faced its worst fire season in 30 years, with wildfires killing people and destroying a large area.
Experts and locals are calling for improved forest management and fire prevention.
A lack of investment and climate change have worsened the fire situation.
Spain has significant forest cover, but a considerable amount of land lacks management plans.
The government is under pressure to increase spending on both defense and climate change mitigation.
- Who
- Forestry experts, locals, and the Spanish government are involved.
- What
- A major wildfire season in Spain led to calls for improved forest management and fire prevention strategies.
- When
- The worst fire season in 30 years occurred during a record heatwave in August, and prevention issues date back two decades.
- Where
- Primarily in the northwestern Galicia region of Spain.
- Why
- A lack of investment in forestry management, climate change, and rural depopulation contributed to the severity of the wildfires.
- Affected Area
- 330,000 hectares
- Deaths
- 4
- Forest Cover in Spain
- 18.6 million hectares
- Forest Growth Rate
- 2.2% annually
- Prevention Spending Decline (2009-2022)
- 52%
- EU Funds for Wildfire Prevention (Spain)
- 221 million euros
- EU Funds for Wildfire Prevention (Portugal)
- Almost three times more than Spain
- EU Funds for Wildfire Prevention (Greece)
- Four times more than Spain