Urgent Call for Action as Wildfires Threaten Urban Areas in Spain and Beyond

as cities expand into forested spaces, the potential for catastrophic fires grows. In Spain, which already faces a high incidence of forest fires, specialists are sounding the alarm about the widening urban-forest interfaces that heighten the fire threat. A study conducted in 2010 indicated that over a million hectares were at risk, with the situation worsening considerably in recent years. According to Cristina Montiel Molina, a professor at Complutense University, the risk of fires has doubled, a trend aggravated by human activities since 85% of fires are caused by people.

Montiel Molina described the current situation as desperate in an interview with elDiario, while Lourdes Hernández, a forest fire expert with WWF, reiterated that few self-protection initiatives for residents exist, and there is a lack of comprehensive fire risk mapping. The issue of urban development near forested zones is not new, and a government report from 2006 already identified the Mediterranean coast of Spain as particularly vulnerable. Provinces like Girona, Barcelona, and Valencia were designated as high-risk, but the threat has now permeated throughout the country, affecting areas like Galicia and the Basque Country. Experts criticize the ongoing construction in risky areas without adequately addressing fire risks, even though the dangers have been recognized for years. Ms. Hernández pointed out that, while disaster management services are aware of the threat, it remains politically unaddressed.

Wildfires pose a global threat, with California having lost over 12,000 homes to wildfires and the 2016 Fort McMurray fire in Canada burning more than 2,400 homes and vast landscapes. The combined impact of climate change, severe droughts, high temperatures, and strong winds is giving rise to "mega-fires" that are increasingly difficult to manage. Josep María Espelta from CREAF advocates for solutions such as creating open spaces for agriculture and pasture, which can interrupt fire continuity and slow down fire spread, particularly in urban areas like the metropolitan region of Barcelona. Although homes in Mediterranean regions are often constructed with fire-resistant materials, research by Pascale Vacca from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia emphasizes that no material can offer total protection against fire. Windows and roofs can still be compromised, particularly if buildings are poorly maintained.

In Spain, the responsibility for territorial planning lies with regional governments, while the Ministry for Ecological Transition is working on legislation to identify fire-prone areas. Many experts, including Montiel Molina, are urging prompt action, calling for local authorities to develop self-protection strategies and for regional governments to restrict development in vulnerable zones. "We need to act before it's too late," she warns, highlighting the necessity for immediate intervention.