In the countries of the Mediterranean Rim, wildfire in woodlands is a fundamental issue in environmental policies. In recent years, forest managers in the Valencia Region have designed new strategies for the prevention of wildfire and the reduction of its impact. Even so, since 1994 more than 120,000 hectares (some 300,000 acres) have been damaged by fires. Strategies have been modified as new preventive action, such as fuel management, has become necessary.

Pilot site project: sustainable management of fuel matter in the Alto Palencia area

Aims

• Within the framework of the forest development plan, recognition of existing configurations (roads, farmland buffer zones) and maintaining traditional customs and practices.
  
  
• Use of the concept of an overall land use plan independent of landholding patterns in the woodlands.
  
  

Situation

The project has been designed in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Keep fuel levels low in high-risk wildfire areas.
  
• Maintain plant cover in zones under major threat of erosion.
• Group and maintain firebreak grids taking into account landscape criteria (maintain crop cultivation to avoid blank fringes near woodland).
• Isolate areas comprised of highly inflammable species using clear-cut zones to avoid massive (crown) forest fires.
• Set up defensive networks around residential areas.
• Divide up natural areas according to type of woodland, taking into account the different kinds of fire protection, plant cover and the potential for regenerating burnt-out areas.
  

The width of firebreaks must be based on calculations forecasting the behaviour of wildfire (height of flames, convection fires). Pre-existing farmland, firebreaks, forest tracks and roads are to be integrated into the protection system so as to limit impact on the environment.

Maintenance of wildfire protection zones

In order to ensure the upkeep of the system across the land, the Bureau for the Environment, beyond recourse to traditional methods using heavy vehicles and equipment, gives grants to livestock farmers who graze their herds along the firebreaks.

At the same time, and as a way of getting the greatest benefit from the project’s provisions, the leisure and recreational areas have been deliberately grouped together because they offer the best protection against wildfire at a very low cost.