The last few days have been particularly intense in the fight against forest fires in various parts of Spain and Portugal. Authorities have declared a state of maximum alert in several regions due to adverse weather conditions, with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, extreme drought, and relative humidity below 30%. This scenario, combined with winds favorable to the spread of the flames, has forced the activation of various emergency protocols and the reinforcement of surveillance in rural and forest areas.
The threat of forest fires not only represents irreparable ecological loss , but also directly impacts public health, tourism, and the local economy. Therefore, various institutions and groups, from public services to research teams, are dedicated to strategies for prevention, firefighting, and recovery of the affected area.
Alert situation and measures in the Canary Islands and other regions
The Canary Islands Government, through its Directorate General of Emergencies, has declared a state of alert for forest fires on the island of Gran Canaria, especially above 400 meters in altitude. This measure also extends to El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, and Tenerife, prompted by the forecast of high temperatures, low humidity, and variable winds that increase the risk of fire.
Local authorities, such as the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, are keeping their municipal emergency plans active and stressing the importance of following basic self-protection recommendations : avoid lighting fires in unauthorized areas, do not leave cigarette butts or combustible waste, prepare the perimeter areas of homes located in the countryside, and call 112 immediately at the first sign of fire.
The population is also being warned about the importance of protecting themselves from extreme heat , minimizing sun exposure, ensuring good hydration, and avoiding physical activity during the hottest hours.
Active fires in the Iberian Peninsula: progress and difficulties
In central and northern Portugal and Castile and León (Spain), several fires remain active, most notably the Ávila fire affecting areas near Mombeltrán and El Arenal. The situation has been complicated by the difficult terrain, accumulated fuel, and shifting winds, which are hindering the work of the firefighting teams, comprised of more than 300 people and supported by numerous air and ground resources.
In Portugal, the fires in Arouca, Penamacor, and Ponte da Barca have required the deployment of more than 1.300 firefighters and a dozen aircraft, with air support from Spain. In Proença-a-Velha, local residents have attempted to save valuable centuries-old olive trees.
Air quality has been severely affected in several towns, forcing residents to stay indoors in places like Mombeltrán and triggering alerts throughout Castile and León. In some areas, the fires have already burned over 500 hectares, while secondary outbreaks persist and containment efforts are progressing slowly.
Evacuation and lockdown orders have been issued in several villages and municipalities in both Spain and Portugal, with red alerts and traffic and access control measures in place for the affected areas. The Military Emergency Unit has been mobilized to reinforce firefighting efforts.
Prevention, new technologies and landscape management
Beyond fire suppression, current efforts are focused on prevention and reducing the impact of wildfires. Researchers from cross-border projects like Refloresta are developing advanced digital tools to analyze the evolution of wildfires over the last few decades and propose innovative solutions: favoring mosaics of less flammable vegetation, improving accessibility, and promoting fast-regenerating species.
Machine learning techniques are used to assess landscape resilience and detect vulnerability patterns. The goal is to design spaces that better withstand fire and recover their ecological balance more quickly, considering ecological, economic, and social factors.
The potential savings of these systems go beyond the economic aspect: indirect costs such as loss of biodiversity, damage to water and air quality, or the impact on tourism and the harvesting of wild products are also evaluated.
The fundamental role of forestry and environmental agents
Forestry and environmental agents remain key players in the comprehensive fight against wildfires . Their work goes far beyond surveillance, as they also perform judicial police functions, investigate the causes of fires, and provide protection and training to the public. The recent approval of national legislation aims to standardize their roles and rights across the country, guaranteeing greater job equality and improved working conditions for these professionals.
However, the sector demands that these legal advances materialize into real improvements: mobility between communities, the right to early retirement and a clear professional career path, in order to meet the needs of a territory increasingly exposed to the risk of large fires.
So far this year, the area of forest affected by wildfires in Spain has already exceeded 29.800 hectares , a slight increase compared to 2024, although it remains below the average of the last decade. Across the European Union, the season is also proving particularly difficult, with more than 237.000 hectares burned by July.
Citizen collaboration, the modernization of land management systems, and a commitment to research and training are more important than ever to ensure an effective response to fires and to ensure that post-fire recovery is as rapid and sustainable as possible.
