Three simultaneous fires in central Spain expose neglected prevention

Three simultaneous fires ravage central Spain: management failure or fate?

What is the probability that three major forest fires break out on the same day in three neighboring autonomous communities? The facts: a fire in the Ávila forest reserve, another threatening El Guanol in Madrid, and a third south of the Community of Madrid, all active simultaneously with temperatures nearing 40 °C and south winds. The image of three smoke columns visible from satellite has triggered a political storm.

Insufficient resources and questioned legislation

The first line of criticism points to a lack of resources. Data circulated indicating that 50% of the firefighting aircraft dependent on the ministry were out of service. This is compounded by the 2015 Forest Law (Ley de Montes), which some analyses claim has tightened restrictions so much that it prevents preventive clearing. Accumulated undergrowth acts as perfect fuel. The paradox is complete: a mountain that burns easily because no one cleans it is labeled a "green zone".

Unrelenting political battle

The affected regions are two governed by the PP (Castilla y León and Madrid) and one by the PSOE (Castilla-La Mancha). Each side seeks a culprit: some blame regional management, others the neglect by the central government. References to "fire experts", "observatories" and "expert committees" are repeated ironically while the flames advance. Some ask if the UME (Military Emergency Unit) is still waiting for instructions.

The uncomfortable data: 95% are intentional

Amid the political noise emerges a number that nobody disputes: 95% of forest fires in Spain are provoked. The discussion then shifts to why arsonists are not pursued effectively, or why prevention is limited to announcing climate pacts that no one executes. The question lingers: if it is known that nine out of ten fires are started by human hands, where is the strategy to stop them?

A hopeless ending

While thermometers mark 38-40 °C and the wind does not subside, the irony is bitter: streets near official residences do not burn, as if the fire had political criteria. Next year, some joke, there will be no fires in these three regions because there will be no trees left. The medium-term forecast is that this will repeat. And that the circus of blame will also repeat.