Fire, as a natural element, has been a decisive factor in the composition of the forest landscape. Nevertheless, the recurrence of forest fires in certain areas and the extensive area they may cover can endanger the survival of forest systems. Studies on the impact of fire have centred on establishing the development of the ecosystem following the fire and the evaluation of financial loss; however, less frequent is analysis of the landscape component of the impact produced by fire, and its permanence in the eco-system
From 1990, Spanish statistics for fires include this effect on the landscape although no analysis has been made from the results obtained, nor has the subsequent development of the affected landscapes been examined, which in some cases will have been restored whilst in others the eco-system has developed naturally.
A study of what happened in previously burned areas may be interesting as an instrument in forestry policy and should describe the zones under analysis, both before and after the fire and indicate the series of processes from the time of the fire to the present situation.
The Spanish Forestry Administration has undertaken the study of nine large-scale forest fires occurring in the last twelve years as a pilot scheme in which the permanent impact of the fire will be examined evaluating its state and analysing the causes which may or may not include human activity.
The study will establish normalised procedures for the systematic control of areas affected by large-scale fires in the future and will facilitate a system of periodic prospecting to evaluate impact.
