The period of greatest operational commitment of the means of the Special Rural Fire Fighting Device (DECIR) for 2020 ended on September 30, in what was the third consecutive year with results below the average of the last decade, in number of ignitions and area burned.

Comparing the data from 2020 with the history of the previous 10 years, there were 47% less rural fires and 38% less burnt area. This is the first time since 2009 that three consecutive years have taken place with a reduction in these indicators related to rural fires.

Thus, and according to the Provisional Report on Rural Fires of the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), this year it presents, until September 30, the 2nd lowest value in number of fires and the 5th lowest value of burnt area since 2010.
In total, 8,968 rural fires were recorded, up to September 30, when the average between 2010 and 2019 was 16,873 fires.

The burnt area, in the same period, was 64,972 hectares, when the average of the last decade was 104,109 hectares.

Since July 1, 11,825 operational personnel, 2,749 teams, 2,654 vehicles and 60 air vehicles have been engaged in DECIR Level IV.

Until the 15th of October, Level III will be in effect, with 9,804 operational personnel, 2,277 teams, 2,154 vehicles, maintaining the 60 aerial means. The National Network of Watchtowers will also maintain the 230 active posts until October 15th.

Until the 15th of October, Level III will be in effect, with 9,804 operational personnel, 2,277 teams, 2,154 vehicles, maintaining the 60 aerial means. The National Network of Watchtowers will also maintain the 230 active posts until October 15th.

It should be remembered that, despite the definition of the various levels of commitment of resources throughout the year, the Directive establishing the DECIR provides for operational flexibility, and the device can be strengthened if the weather conditions recommend it.

The impact of climate change on the phenomenon of fires is, moreover, one of the aspects that the Government will take into account when assessing the results of 2020. It is noteworthy that 86% of the fires have a burnt area of ​​less than 1 hectare. However, this year there were 11 fires with a burnt area of ​​more than 1,000 hectares, which leads to the need to reinforce the priority given to the reform of the forest, the cleaning of the land around the houses and villages and the awareness of the populations to the need to avoid risky behaviors such as the use of machinery or burning and burning on risky days.

 

Although in the past 3 years there have been no fatalities among civilians to mourn, the Government is concerned with the tragic events that led to the deaths of five firefighters and one pilot. In this regard, special attention will be paid to matters related to the safety of the operational staff members of the device.