Abstract: |
The analysis made by the Spanish Forestry Plan identifies the social and economic causes which have led to the intensification of forest fires in the last three decades. Among causes the following are noteworthy
The abandonment of agricultural land
Economic policies which encourage this abandonment and its subsequent reforestation with the aim of reducing agricultural surplus.
Maintenance of traditional practices of burning agricultural waste products, pasture and rubbish.
Conflicts arising from the limitations of use (Protected Open Spaces), the conflicts of hunting, the labour market in the forestry sector itself, the generalised process of urbanisation of the land, revenge, vandalism etc.
Misuse of forestry areas by the urban population, either as visitors for recreational purposes, or to build second or permanent homes.
The number of outbreaks of fire shows a growing trend both in Spain and in the other Mediterranean countries of the European Union.
Suppression resources have notably have improved in terms of strength and technology in the last ten years, and have achieved a high degree of efficiency as illustrated by the reduction of the forest surface area burned. This efficiency has limited the impact of fire but paradoxically, this has led to risk that new fires spread due to the accumulation of fuel.
The problems and needs detected in the diagnostic phase of the Spanish Forestry Scheme centred basically on identifying causes, the need to promote preventive action with particular emphasis on silviculture and the maintenance of suppression potential. As a result the three main objectives are:
Determining and acting on the causes both immediate and structural.
Continuous improvement in preventive actions with particular emphasis on preventive silviculture and heightening of social awareness.
Homogenisation by raising the level of efficiency in all the competent suppression administrative departments.
The required measures are detailed in three sections: Planning and coordination, Prevention and Suppression
As an indicator of the results the annual “severity index” has been chosen calculated as the percentage of burned forest area in respect of national forest land. 0,3 % was set as an objective to be achieved by 2008 and in 30 years 0,2 %. This is a realistic goal since in 2002 the severity index dropped to 0,39 %, in contrast to 1,6 % in 1994 and the indexes close to 1 % which were customary in previous decades. |
