Over the next five years, Catalonia will launch a major program to prevent forest fires. The regional government is allocating 75 million euros to create special protective buffers around residential areas and villages. These measures aim to reduce the risk of fire spreading and protect residents from the consequences of natural disasters.
The initiative was announced at a meeting with mayors of municipalities recently affected by major wildfires in the Terres de l’Ebre area (Tarragona). The summer of 2024 has been one of Catalonia’s most challenging: fires claimed three lives and thousands of hectares of forest were destroyed. Authorities note that such disasters threaten not only the environment, but also the economy, homes, and safety of local residents.
According to the plan, buffer strips of at least 25 meters wide, cleared of dry vegetation and trees, will be established around populated areas. Funding for these projects will be increased tenfold compared to previous years. Authorities expect that these measures will allow for a quicker response to threats and help minimize the damage from potential fires.
In Catalonia, about 65% of the territory is covered by forests, and over 750 municipalities are classified as high-risk areas. However, just over half of them have approved fire prevention plans. Despite existing legislation requiring the creation of firebreaks since 2003, a significant portion of this work remains incomplete. The responsibility for meeting these requirements lies with local administrations.
Regional authorities emphasize that effective wildfire prevention is impossible without close collaboration between agencies and proper training of specialists. As the climate becomes increasingly extreme, such measures are essential to protect nature and ensure public safety.
