Every day, 70,000 sheep cross the rugged hills of Santiago-Pontones, helping keep this corner of Jaén remarkably free from major wildfires. The municipality does not rely solely on firebreaks or emergency crews. Instead, it has revived a centuries-old solution: using livestock to clear dry brush and undergrowth before they become fuel for disaster.
Since 2019, more than 170 local shepherds, including 80 under the age of 40, have joined forces to manage nearly 20,000 hectares of public land in the Sierra de Segura. Their flocks graze on grasses and shrubs that would otherwise accumulate and dry out, lowering the risk of large-scale fires. Residents say they cannot recall a serious wildfire in recent years. That claim stands out in a region where steep terrain and scattered settlements make fire prevention especially challenging.
Jaén’s provincial government also recognizes grazing’s role in the region. Juan Latorre, president of the Diputación de Jaén, has described extensive transhumant livestock farming as having an “active role” in conserving the natural environment, helping prevent forest fires and retaining rural populations. His statement reflects the sector’s value beyond food production: grazing helps local communities manage the field and sustain life in remote areas.
Rapid Response to Fire Threats
The area is not immune to fire. The difference lies in the scale of incidents and the response. On July 26, a blaze broke out near Cortijo de la Sauquera, close to the village of Pontones. The Infoca wildfire service responded swiftly, backed by 40 ground crew members. A fire engine and two helicopters also joined the effort. Crews stabilized the flames within two and a half hours. Several smaller outbreaks along a nearby road were quickly extinguished, with local residents pitching in. These rapid, effective responses show the value of keeping the field actively managed and clearing excess vegetation.
Sheep as Land Managers
Segureña sheep, native to the region, are well suited to steep, high-altitude terrain. As they graze, they consume potential fire fuel and enrich the soil with organic matter, supporting natural regeneration. The work continues year-round, not just during fire season. Antonio Punzano, one of the program’s leaders, calls the animals “the true managers of the land.” Depending on the field, some areas also use goats or cattle.
The revival of grazing followed years of decline. By 2011, the local sheep population had fallen to around 35,000, and many young people saw little future in the profession because of low profitability and bureaucratic hurdles. The turning point came when shepherds formed a cooperative to manage grazing rights jointly. With support from the Andalusian government, they gained access to public lands. That opened the door to European agricultural subsidies and allowed the managed area to expand rapidly.
Economic and Social Impact
Access to public land has changed the economics of shepherding in Santiago-Pontones. A farm managing 200 hectares can now receive up to €18,000 in European funds, while larger operations can earn even more. That financial stability has encouraged a new generation to return to the land. One of them is Alicia Fernández, who left a career in finance to run a family farm in the small village of La Matea. Today, she manages 900 sheep and 70 cows and says the business is sustainable.
The program has also helped stem rural depopulation. Many of the 170 participating shepherds are children of former herders who returned after studying or working elsewhere. That makes the area a rare example of generational renewal as villages across the region shrink. A report on Santiago-Pontones’s Technical Days of Ecological Segureño Lamb also noted that more than 70 young people were entering or joining livestock farming, evidence of renewal in the sector.
Transhumance and Broader Benefits
The work reaches beyond the municipal border. Each winter, shepherds lead their flocks on a 300-kilometer journey to the warmer Sierra de Andújar, a tradition known as transhumance. For nearly six months, the animals graze in new pastures, clearing vegetation along the route and in their winter quarters. Expanded public grazing rights have also cut costs: shepherds no longer have to pay high fees to cross private land. Plans call for extending the system to an additional 11,000 hectares between Baños de la Encina and Andújar.
The sector’s broader concerns were on the agenda at the Pontones technical event, held as part of the local livestock fair. Discussions covered extensive grazing’s contribution to conserving natural spaces and adapting to the Common Agricultural Policy, with animal health and welfare also on the agenda. Participants included Erik Domínguez, the Junta de Andalucía’s government delegate in Jaén; Antonio Punzano, president of COAG Jaén; Pedro José Soria, president of SAT Sierra de Segura; and Emilio de la Cruz, president of Pastos de Pontones. Europa Press reported on the event and the Diputación de Jaén’s position on transhumant livestock farming.
Combining Approaches for Fire Prevention
Experts and shepherds stress that grazing works best alongside other land management strategies. These include crop rotation and mechanical clearing, while controlled burns provide another option. Different animals fill different roles: cows suit open areas, goats can penetrate dense brush, and wild ungulates can help control vegetation. The Santiago-Pontones model shows how economic activity can support environmental stewardship, with rural vitality following from both.
As climate change raises the risk of catastrophic wildfires across southern Europe, this Jaén village offers a practical example of traditional practices adapted to modern needs. Keeping the land active and the community engaged has helped Santiago-Pontones protect its people and field.
