Community of Madrid Acts on Over 5,000 Hectares of Forest Land to Reinforce Fire Prevention Before Summer
Madrid, May 17 – The Community of Madrid is taking proactive steps across 5,298 hectares of forest land to reinforce fire prevention measures ahead of the summer season, which is identified as the period of highest risk for wildfires. The autonomous Fire Department is tasked with identifying the specific areas where these crucial works are needed, primarily focusing on pruning, clearing, and the maintenance of firebreaks.
These preventative tasks are carried out during the eight months considered to be of medium and low risk, specifically in areas close to residential properties and locations with high vegetation density. The primary objective is to reduce the thickness of vegetation that could easily become fuel, thereby preventing the rapid advancement and spread of fires. Additionally, rural roads are being adapted to facilitate access for emergency services in the event of an incident.
Preventive Grazing and Forest Ranger Teams
A significant portion of the preparatory work, 71.2% of the total surface area (3,772.59 hectares), is being cleared through preventive grazing. This innovative program utilizes herds of sheep, goats, cows, and horses. The Community of Madrid launched this initiative in 2011, under which Fire Department technicians collaborate with various livestock farmers to designate intervention zones. The farmers receive financial compensation for their invaluable service. Last year, 85 farms participated, involving a total of 21,374 head of livestock.
In parallel, forest ranger teams are directly working on 1,525 hectares of mountainous terrain, urban-forest interfaces, and firebreaks. Their duties include clearing, pruning, branch cutting, and the removal of plant debris in areas precisely defined by the Fire Department’s technical services. These operations are performed by 304 professionals, organized into groups of 10, and equipped with both manual and heavy machinery. These efforts continue until the onset of the high-risk period.
With the arrival of summer, the fire prevention and response system is significantly bolstered, increasing personnel to 419. These individuals are then integrated as forest firefighters into the operational framework of the Civil Protection Plan against Forest Fires in the Community of Madrid (INFOMA).
Actions in Nearly 50 Municipalities
Furthermore, these teams are also engaged in adapting 74.6 kilometers of forest tracks. This work is vital for improving access for fire extinction resources. All these activities are being conducted in nearly 50 municipalities, distributed across six distinct areas: Lozoya-Somosierra, Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Central Zone, South-Western, Campiña del Este, and Comarca de las Vegas.
These interventions are instrumental in reducing the load of combustible vegetation, which in turn helps to curb the spread of fire, diminish the intensity of flames, and prevent them from reaching the treetops. This approach enhances the safety of intervention teams and facilitates quicker and more effective control of fires.
The area targeted for these actions may be subject to change due to various factors, including adverse meteorological phenomena, the nesting of protected species, or the presence of more vegetation than initially anticipated in certain zones.
Source: https://www.comunidad.madrid/noticias/2026/05/17/comunidad-madrid-actua-5000-hectareas-terreno-forestal-reforzar-prevencion-incendios-antes-verano
