Spain’s Leader: ‘We Arrived Late’ to Forest Management as Wildfire Rages

The president of Spain’s Catalonia region, Salvador Illa, said Monday that the government is preparing financial aid to improve forest management and prevent wildfires like the one currently burning near Girona. Illa stated that authorities have already launched plans to create 14 “confined” forest areas, including five priority zones, with protective strips and firebreaks. However, he stressed that the key challenge is changing public attitudes. “We have a very urban mentality. Sometimes we don’t want anyone to touch the forest,” Illa warned. He added that for prevention, “nothing happens if we manage the forest. That sometimes means cutting trees or opening firebreaks.” The president admitted the country acted “late” on forest management. “We arrived late, all of us as a country. But less complaining and more doing. I want to look forward,” he said. Illa noted that the past days have been “complicated” due to multiple fires. On Sunday alone, 13 small blazes were quickly controlled, in addition to the major fire in the Les Gavarres area. **Fire still not under control** Regarding the Les Gavarres fire, Illa urged against speculation about its cause. He said the investigation “seems to indicate” the fire started from sparks from an angle grinder used by a worker from a company subcontracted by the regional government’s territory department. “The judge will determine who is responsible and whether there was negligence or something more,” Illa said. “We will get to the bottom of this.” Firefighters said they do not expect to control the blaze on Monday. Overnight, some hot spots flared up, including one outside the perimeter near Mas Ambròs, which was quickly contained. Officials remain concerned about the fire’s right flank, combined with a heatwave and sea breeze. The fire has damaged 25 buildings: 14 with minor external damage, 11 with structural or interior damage, and 55 structures left untouched.