The Catalan government has pledged to maintain, and even increase, funding for wildfire prevention after a summer marked by a major forest fire in Girona. At a meeting at the historic monastery of Les Avellanes in Lleida, President Salvador Illa gathered his cabinet to stress the region’s focus on emergency response and forest management. The session opened with the government and the presidents of the four provincial Diputaciones signing a protocol to improve coordination and forest care, with the aim of reducing fire risk.
President Illa said not a single euro would be cut from the wildfire prevention budget. Instead, he announced plans to expand technical resources and hire more firefighters and rural agents, while strengthening cooperation between regional and local administrations. Catalonia experienced only one major wildfire this year: in July, it burned approximately 2,300 hectares in Girona. The government’s approach aims to prevent similar incidents and maintain strong rapid-response capabilities.
The cabinet met outside Barcelona, in a rural setting, to highlight the importance of forest policy and the challenges facing local communities. The new protocol with the Diputaciones is expected to simplify forest management and make it easier to implement preventive measures and share resources across the region. El País reported that the government’s strategy draws on lessons from recent emergencies and reflects its determination to avoid the devastating consequences seen in previous years.
Catalonia’s approach centers on prevention and resource allocation, while other regions in Spain have faced different challenges involving emergency management and political coordination. A recent dispute in Ceuta over the handling of migrant minors, for example, highlighted the complexities of intergovernmental cooperation during crises. In Catalonia, the focus remains on proactive measures and coordinated action to protect residents and natural landscapes.
Forest fires pose a recurring threat in Mediterranean climates. Catalonia is particularly vulnerable because of its extensive woodlands and dry summers. The region has invested heavily in early detection systems and firebreaks, while also running public awareness campaigns. The government’s renewed commitment to funding and coordination is seen as a critical step in sustaining these efforts. The cabinet meeting at Les Avellanes will conclude on Saturday, with further discussions expected on long-term strategies for environmental protection and emergency response.
