Announced in 2022 and built at a cost of nearly two million euros, the El Oterico helibase in León has only recently become partially operational. The summer fire season is underway, yet the base was not ready for aerial operations until just days ago, and basic safety and infrastructure elements remain unfinished. Firefighters say the delays have forced crews to lead for more than an hour and a half to reach fires that a helicopter could reach in just 15 minutes.
As EL PAÍS reported, a sand-based surface has compromised the base’s basic landing areas, leaving most of the helipads unusable. Firefighters installed an electric fence to keep livestock out, but it is the only perimeter protection and does nothing to stop unauthorized access by people. Without proper fencing or surveillance, vandalism and accidents are a concern, particularly with helicopters valued at nearly two million euros each on site.
Basic amenities are missing, too. The base has no reliable phone line. Mobile coverage is poor, and the showers do not work. Fuel storage tanks remained unsealed for weeks, while the refueling hose reaches only one of the seven helipads, forcing crews to move aircraft manually. The water pump is out of order. After long shifts battling fires, staff must return home without being able to wash. The problems have frustrated the team and, in their view, weakened the region’s ability to respond quickly to wildfires.
The closure of the previous Camposagrado base adds to the problems at El Oterico. Camposagrado shut down after a kerosene leak contaminated the water supply. Firefighters understood the initial transfer of personnel but now question why the old base closed before the new one was fully functional. They argue that the current situation leaves large areas, especially those hit by the 2025 fires, dangerously exposed. Artificial grass installed on the helipads and fixed with 10-centimeter nails has proved unreliable. Blocks of concrete now hold it down to stop it becoming airborne and damaging helicopters.
Despite the recent partial opening, only one of the seven helipads is in use. The team describes a patchwork effort to get the base minimally functional. Effective communication systems and basic facilities are still lacking, so the base cannot yet serve its intended purpose. Firefighters say using El Oterico in its current state would have posed unacceptable risks. Many believe returning to Camposagrado would be preferable if the contamination issue is resolved. The political challenge of reversing the opening of a new base remains unresolved.
The dispute comes amid broader concerns about the organization of Castilla y León’s wildfire response. On 19 October 2026, the public-sector union CSIF criticized the regional government led by President Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, saying it had received no invitation or proposal to negotiate proposed new wildfire-operation decrees. As elDiario.es reported, the union said the situation had “not changed at all” and called for sufficient resources and stronger prevention, along with effective organization throughout the year. Its criticism concerns the regional operation broadly, not a specific decision about El Oterico.
Wildfire management in the region can also involve protecting water and other infrastructure after a fire. In an official communication, the Junta de Castilla y León recognized Spanish Army Sergeant Carlos Iglesias Bueno for emergency drainage work after the Herradón de Pinares fire in Ávila. The drainage system was intended to help prevent contamination of the drinking-water supply, illustrating the wider infrastructure risks emergency planning may need to address.
Spain’s wildfire response infrastructure has faced scrutiny in recent years, particularly as climate change increases the frequency and severity of summer fires. León’s mountainous terrain makes rapid aerial deployment impressive to contain outbreaks before they spread. The delays and shortcomings at El Oterico show why new emergency facilities need to be fully operational before existing ones are decommissioned. Official data show that Spain has invested heavily in modernizing its firefighting resources, but León suggests that work on the ground can lag behind plans and announcements. The experience at El Oterico could prompt further review of how projects are managed and delivered in regions at high risk of wildfires.
