The Regional Government of Extremadura has approved a set of measures to strengthen fire prevention, including the creation of municipal herds. These herds will play a key role in the natural protection of peri-urban and forested areas, reducing vegetation and, consequently, the risk of fire spreading.
During an extraordinary Government Council meeting held in Hervás, President María Guardiola explained that the goal is to ensure that “our towns and mountains are better protected and prepared” after a summer in which more than 40,000 hectares burned.
Main Measures Approved
- Municipal herds to protect peri-urban areas and encourage grazing in public-use forests and burned areas.
- Declaration of Urgent Action Zones in Jarilla and Caminomorisco.
- Application of techniques such as helimulching to prevent erosion and ash carryover with rain.
- Repair of rural roads and creation of alternative evacuation routes in villages with only one access road.
- Increased resources and budget: 17% increase for fire prevention and extinguishing, and 10% more personnel and equipment.
- Review of environmental regulations and simplification of procedures to facilitate traditional farming and grazing practices.
- New prevention seal for farms and products with “certified preventive value.”
- First work-life balance plan for livestock farmers, which will allow for rest periods through shifts on their farms.
In addition, an agreement will be signed with the University of Extremadura to design a strategy based on agro-forestry-pastoral activities, combining agriculture, livestock, and forest management as tools to combat fires.
