A debate has erupted in Spain over statistics concerning the causes of forest fires. The country’s Ministry of the Interior clarified that only about a third of all outbreaks are actually due to deliberate actions, countering previous claims of significantly higher figures.
The discussion was sparked by comments from a leader of one of the major political parties, who claimed that 80% of fires in Spain are caused by arson. In response, government representatives stressed that such estimates do not reflect reality. According to the Nature Protection Unit of the Civil Guard, a significant number of cases remain with undetermined causes, and among those where the origin could be established, only a third are due to deliberate arson.
The remaining cases are attributed to careless human actions and natural factors. Carelessness includes, for example, violations of regulations on burning plant waste or failure to comply with fire safety requirements during certain periods. Another third of the fires arise from natural causes, such as lightning or extreme weather conditions.
Authorities also point out the distinction between arsonists and individuals with mental disorders who set fires for different reasons. In the first instance, these are criminal acts; in the second, these are people in need of medical assistance.
Since the beginning of June, when the campaign for the prevention and suppression of forest fires began, 33 people have been detained in Spain on suspicion of involvement in the outbreaks. In addition, more than 90 investigations into fire incidents are currently underway. Ministry officials emphasize that investigations of this kind require time and thorough work, as determining the exact cause is often extremely difficult.
The Minister of Agriculture also noted that most cases in the country are accidental fires caused by negligence rather than deliberate intent. According to him, many fires occur because people fail to observe basic safety precautions when handling fire, especially in rural areas.
Authorities are urging citizens to follow fire safety rules and remind them that even minor negligence can lead to serious consequences. In hot and dry conditions, the risk of the fire spreading is particularly high, making individual responsibility a key factor in the fight against forest fires.
Thus, official statistics disprove exaggerated estimates of the proportion of intentional arson and highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to preventing and investigating the causes of fires.
