Wildfires in Spain: a growing danger due to the climate emergency.

The flames have once again taken center stage in Spain, igniting concern among experts and citizens alike. In late July, several areas of the country, such as Málaga, Cuenca, and Alicante, were affected by wildfires that, although mostly contained, made it clear that the emergency has not ceased. With summer still in full swing, the risk of new outbreaks remains latent, especially given the lack of rainfall and projections of high temperatures that promise to hit the peninsula in the coming weeks. The situation is alarming. A report from WWF indicates that while the number of wildfires in Spain has decreased by 34% over the past two decades, those that do occur are increasingly devastating. In 2022, the country experienced one of the most catastrophic years in its forestry history, with over 300,000 hectares consumed by fire. In 2023, although with lower figures, it became the fourth worst year of the last decade, with 89,000 hectares affected. This increase in the virulence of wildfires is not coincidental. Experts from the Pau Costa Foundation explain that since the 1960s, the rise in the frequency of wildfires has gone hand in hand with the emergence of megafires, those that sweep through large areas and are nearly impossible to control. These outbreaks, which can consume more than 500 hectares, create extreme risk situations for the population, in addition to devastating the ecosystem. Wildfires in Spain are not just a national problem; they are part of a broader phenomenon affecting the entire Mediterranean basin. Countries like Portugal, Greece, France, and Italy are also facing the threat of extreme wildfires that have reached record levels in the last two decades. The consequences are devastating: loss of life, property, and an economic impact amounting to billions. The climate emergency is exacerbating this situation. Global warming and prolonged drought have created perfect conditions for flames to spread easily. Dry winds and temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius act as an explosive cocktail, facilitating the ignition of new fire outbreaks. Thus, what might start as a spark quickly turns into a fire that engulfs everything in its path. In this context, the key to mitigating the impact of wildfires lies in prevention and sustainable landscape management. The Pau Costa Foundation emphasizes the need to address rural abandonment and create resilient landscapes that can better withstand flames. This involves properly managing the accumulation of vegetation and its continuity, preventing the formation of large forest masses with dense, dry undergrowth. WWF also underscores the importance of diversifying the landscape and restoring ecosystems to prevent future wildfires. Ecological restoration not only helps mitigate the risk of fires but also promotes biodiversity and boosts economic activity in rural areas. The idea is to create healthy ecosystems that fulfill their ecological functions, regulate the climate, and provide natural resources. To achieve these goals, it is essential to combine large-scale territorial planning with local initiatives that go beyond current extinction policies. Conventional prevention tools have proven insufficient in the face of the magnitude of the current crisis. The key lies in adopting a more comprehensive approach that encompasses both prevention and sustainable land management. In summary, the challenge of wildfires in Spain and the rest of Europe is complex and multifaceted. The combination of climatic factors, inefficient landscape management, and inadequate rural development practices has led to a critical situation. Prevention and sustainable management are not just desirable; they are absolutely necessary to protect not only the environment but also the communities that depend on it. The fight against the flames must be a priority, and collective action is the only way to confront this growing threat.