Canary Islands Government Approves New Forest Fire Prevention Decree

The Canary Islands government has approved a new decree updating regulations on forest fire prevention, detection, and extinction. This overhaul responds to two decades of evolving wildfire challenges, including more frequent large fires, interface urban-forest fires, and climate change effects like prolonged droughts.

Key Changes and Innovations

• The decree expands legal, operational, and strategic tools, aligning regional and insular plans with national frameworks.
• It introduces new safety zones, improves coordination among local, insular, and regional authorities, and strengthens measures for high-risk areas, including authorized activities and restrictions during heightened danger periods.
• Establishment of a dedicated Committee of Fight Against Forest Fires.
• Clarification of roles for emergency centers.
• Emphasis on research into fire causes and statistics.
• Focus on prevention at urban-forest interfaces.
• Promotion of restoration efforts after large fires.

Importance of the Update

This update matters because it:

• Enhances community protection, resource management, and environmental conservation amid worsening fire conditions.
• Ensures policies adapt to new climate realities.
• Fosters coordination across authorities.
• Involves local communities in wildfire preparedness and response.
• Streamlines regulations and improves emergency response protocols.

"The decree aims to reduce fire damage and preserve the islands’ unique ecosystems and inhabited areas."