Soldiers equipped with red protective suits and fluorescent bands prepare for the forest fire season in Spain. In the forested region of Castilla y León, soldiers from the Military Emergency Unit (UME) are working hard to widen a firebreak and prevent the flames from spreading. This preparedness exercise is crucial, considering that Spain was the European country with the most hectares burned last year.
Captain Adrián Vives, head of a company of UME engineers, explains that they are removing plant fuel to prevent the fire from spreading. Their goal is to prepare the units for the fire season, which runs from mid-June to the end of September. The EMU collaborates with firefighters in cases of intense fires or fires that pose a risk to the population.
Spain is facing a worrying situation due to climate change, with more heat waves and less rainfall in recent years. The country experienced around five hundred fires that consumed more than 300,000 hectares last year. This year’s spring was the warmest on record and the second-driest, according to Spain’s meteorological agency.
Spain’s director of Civil Protection, Leonardo Marcos, recognizes the serious risk posed by climate change. With fires getting bigger and earlier, Marcos stresses the importance of year-round prevention through clearing dry vegetation and proper preparedness.
Although Spain has an advanced forest fire response system, firefighters point to shortcomings in coordination between different administrations. The lack of a national law unifying activities and protocols hinders communication and joint action by fire departments throughout the country.
In summary, EMU soldiers are actively preparing for the forest fire season in Spain. The country faces significant challenges due to climate change, and it is crucial to strengthen prevention and improve coordination between authorities to effectively fight fires.