Catalonia records the lowest number of fires in years thanks to the rain and the mosaic landscape.

At the onset of summer, expectations were grim for the rural areas of Catalonia, which had been subjected to three years of extreme drought. Emergency teams, led by the Bombers de la Generalitat, were preparing for a summer campaign that promised to be critical, with fears that increasingly intense heat due to climate change would trigger a wave of wildfires. However, after the hottest part of the season, the results have been surprising. This year, Catalonia has experienced the lowest number of wildfires in the last four years, raising a series of questions about the causes of this phenomenon. According to experts, the main key lies in the rains recorded during May and June. These precipitations were crucial in altering the ground conditions just before the arrival of summer. Marta Miralles, deputy inspector of the GRAF forest area of the Bombers, explains that if it hadn't rained, conditions would have been even more adverse, with a very high risk of fires. "The rain in June delayed the most extreme behaviors," notes Miralles, highlighting the importance of water in mitigating the structural drought affecting the region. However, the situation is not uniform across the territory. There are counties, such as the interior of Tarragona, that have suffered a significant lack of water, contributing to the emergence of fires with high propagation capacity. This was evident in Priorat at the end of July, where a fire seriously threatened the area. Despite the difficult conditions, the rapid intervention of the Bombers, along with the absence of simultaneous fires, allowed for the control of the blaze. Another factor that has played a crucial role in containing the fires has been the mosaic landscape, composed of crops that farmers maintain alongside large forested areas. This type of landscape has proven to be a strategic ally in the fight against fire. Miralles mentions that the cultivated fields of almond and olive trees, as well as cereal crops, have been decisive in containing several fires. "Without these crops, many fires would have grown beyond our extinguishing capacity," she points out. Winemaker Sara Pérez, who manages a winery in Priorat, has also firsthand experienced the impact of the mosaic landscape. "We cultivate in the forest to avoid large forest masses," says Pérez, who has seen how her vineyard acted as a firebreak during the recent blaze. Although her harvest suffered significant damage, demonstrating the painful balance between agriculture and fire prevention, viticulture remains an integral part of the landscape management strategy. The combination of rains and a diversified agricultural landscape has been key to controlling the fires. Miralles emphasizes that "the mosaic territory allows fires to remain within controllable margins." However, the deputy inspector also warns that this situation should not lead to complacency. The possibility of a major fire still exists, especially in vulnerable areas like Alt Empordà and Terres de l'Ebre. The successful balance of the summer campaign in 2024, which could conclude without major fires and with just 378 hectares burned, is a notable contrast to the last two decades. As autumn approaches, meteorological experts predict that weather conditions will become more favorable, which could help keep the risk of fires at bay in the coming months. Despite this good news, the specialists' warning is clear: vigilance cannot be lowered. "It is very common to have a major fire at the end of the campaign," warns Miralles, stressing the need to continue working on prevention and raising awareness about the importance of maintaining mosaic landscapes. Collaboration between farmers and emergency teams will be vital to continue protecting the territory and to prevent crisis situations from recurring in the future. In summary, rain and the mosaic landscape have proven to be determining factors in the fight against wildfires in Catalonia. This scenario not only offers hope for the present but also presents a model to follow for other regions facing similar challenges. The combination of proper land management, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness are key elements that can contribute to a safer future in the fight against fire.