A comment by shepherd Jesús Sola of Tortuera, Guadalajara, has resurfaced as Spain faces another summer of wildfire risk. On the podcast Morir de Éxito, he argued that grazing livestock can clear flammable brush more effectively than large crews, saying “a herd of sheep, goats or cows cleans much more than 100 people.” The interview first aired in October 2025, reigniting debate over how best to protect the countryside.
Sola sees livestock grazing as a practical way to reduce the dense undergrowth that fuels forest fires, as well as a rural tradition. He believes some public funds for forest maintenance should go directly to people who keep animals in vulnerable areas. In Tortuera, a village of just 157 residents, Sola and his wife manage separate flocks totaling nearly 2,000 sheep. The work demands constant attention and leaves little room for rest.
The Cost of Starting Out
For anyone considering a future in shepherding, the barriers are steep. Sola estimates that a healthy breeding ewe costs around €150 and that a viable business requires at least 500 animals, putting the initial cost of the flock alone at €75,000. That figure excludes investment in facilities and the wait of up to three years for a return, given the slow reproductive cycle and delayed payments in the sector. For newcomers, Sola recommends taking over an existing operation from a retiring professional, a path some young farmers returning to their family roots have already chosen.
Grazing as a Fire Tool
Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) treats grazing as one part of a wider effort to manage combustible vegetation. Sheep and goats eat grasses and shrubs, while cattle also help reduce vegetation that can form continuous fuel beds. The broader approach can include cultivated land and managed forest, alongside prescribed burning and public awareness. Its aim is to break up continuous vegetation before fire spreads. Rafael Gómez del Álamo, head of MITECO’s Forest Fire Defence Area, presented the ministry’s 2026 wildfire figures at a technical conference organized by Tecnifuego.
Grazing can complement mechanical clearing, but it cannot replace crews or machinery in every situation. Its effectiveness depends on terrain and vegetation, as well as access and how and when animals are managed. Mechanical work and other measures remain impressive where animals cannot safely or effectively reduce the fuel. The goal is a managed field mosaic, not reliance on one intervention. Spain’s hotter conditions, drought and irregular rainfall can also raise fire danger and make fires harder to control, even where surface vegetation has been reduced.
The scale of the 2026 fire season shows why prevention remains a priority, but it does not measure grazing’s effectiveness. MITECO reported 8,635 incidents and 280,079 hectares burned by 4 October, including 47 large fires. The burned area was 140% above the decade average, though 14% below the corresponding 2025 figure. The ministry also reported more than 10,000 aircraft flight hours and 50,259 water drops, showing that fuel management operates alongside monitoring and emergency response.
Some regions are already investing in this approach. In early 2025, Castilla-La Mancha launched a €360,000 program to promote grazing as a fire-prevention measure, benefiting 67 livestock operations and covering about 3,000 hectares. In Santiago-Pontones, Jaén, more than 170 shepherds and 70,000 sheep help keep 20,000 hectares of the Sierra de Segura clear of excess vegetation, while sustaining rural life and year-round vigilance.
Generational Hurdles
The future of this model is uncertain. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that, by January 2026, 40% of farm owners in Spain were over 65, while only 9% were under 41. The demanding lifestyle makes it hard to attract young people: animals need care every day, with no fixed hours or guaranteed breaks. Small farms often lack the staff to provide time off, and rural areas face shortages in impressive services and trades, including elder care as well as plumbing and hospitality.
To address these challenges, the government announced the Tierra Joven platform in January 2026, aiming to improve access to land and ease the transfer of farms to younger generations. Around 17,000 state-owned rural properties are under review for possible allocation to young, female or new agricultural professionals. Yet, as Sola points out, these measures do not resolve the core issues: high investment, relentless schedules and the risks inherent in farming.
Sola’s comparison of livestock with 100 workers is his personal assessment, not a technical productivity measure. His experience points to the potential of managed grazing as one part of wildfire prevention, while the wider strategy combines it with other land-management and fire-response measures. Its future also depends on whether rural life remains viable for the next generation of shepherds and farmers.
