In Spain, apart from in summer, it is common to travel on bank holidays and weekends. If you don't know where to go, I suggest the natural parks of Navarra as a tourist destination . There is something for everyone. Do you like meadows? Then I recommend the Urbasa-Andia natural park. Do you prefer deserts with spectacular rock formations? Then your destination should be the Bárdenas Reales. Or perhaps your favourites are forests? In that case, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Irati Forest. Although the latter can be affected by environmental hazards, such as forest fires.
If we want to continue enjoying these beautiful natural landscapes in the future, we must take care of the environment during our holidays in Navarra. Knowing the most common causes of fire will help preserve natural spaces.
Check the risk of fires before going on a trip on your holiday in Navarra. AEMET has maps like this one updated daily:
Typical fire risk in summer
If the risk of fire is high, activities that may cause fires should be avoided. Fortunately, Navarra tends to have a lower risk of fire than other regions in Spain.
Avoid areas that are more prone to fires. In summer, areas with more undergrowth and dry leaves are more vulnerable to the spread of a fire and we should avoid them.
Unfortunately, identifying high-risk fire zones is the pending issue for the Ministry of the Environment in Navarra, which is one of the regions with the least information on this matter. Perhaps this is precisely because forest fires are rare in Navarra. In any case, be extremely cautious in dry, leafy areas, and take into account the most frequent causes of fires, which we discuss below:
The five most common causes of accidental fires to avoid on your holidays in Navarra
There are many possible causes of fires, ranging from thunderstorms to arson as a form of protest. However, most fires are caused unintentionally by human activities. These are the five most common causes according to the Navarra Firefighters Association. Keep them in mind during your holidays in Navarra.
Number 5, Power and railway lines:
Electrical installations inevitably involve a certain risk of fire. Even when they are working properly, fires can occur when trees fall on the cables. That is why an environmental impact study is necessary when installing power lines near forest areas. Although it would never hurt to improve our energy efficiency . Domestic self-sufficiency through solar panels could reduce the need to install power lines in forest areas.
Number 4, improper use of bonfires:
Navarre's forests are an international tourist attraction. This brings with it the promotion of employment in the local tourism sector, a source of economic and cultural wealth. However, campers must be aware of forest fire prevention and use bonfires and barbecues appropriately. Neglecting these potential sources of fire is legally considered negligence and is punishable.
Number 3, poor waste and garbage management:
Let's look at some examples: Leaving hazardous waste in the woods canada mobile phone numbers database , whether it be glass, cigarette butts, matches or lighters. Burning household rubbish near woods during periods of high risk of fire. Or even in the field of industrial waste management, placing waste incinerators near woods. All of these practices would fall into the category of poor waste management, and are considered negligence.
Number 2, stubble burning:
The distant cousin of industrial waste burning, the burning of agricultural waste remains one of the main causes of fires throughout Spain. This activity, when well controlled and in low-risk weather conditions, does not pose a problem. However, when temperatures rise, there is drought and the wind makes the flames uncontrollable, the burning of stubble is no longer permitted. If burning is carried out without a permit, it would be considered negligence and an offence.
Number 1, burning of pastures:
Finally, the main cause of forest fires in Navarre is the burning of pastures for the regeneration of grasslands. Fundamentally similar to the burning of stubble, its objective is not to get rid of agricultural waste but to encourage the growth of pastures on which livestock depends. When the fires resulting from both activities are added together, the sum is almost double that of the rest of the fires caused by negligence combined.
In the event that fire prevention measures have not managed to prevent the start of a fire, we can always try to minimize the damage by calling 112. We must all make an effort to take care of the environment on our holidays in Navarra in particular and in Spain in general. If you are a worker or self-employed in this beautiful region, you can access one of these subsidized courses that will help you start and move your business forward .