The Community of Madrid has approved an extraordinary regime to remove burnt trees in the Sierra Oeste and Lozoyuela. This measure aims to prevent pests and facilitate environmental recovery following the fires in July.
The Community of Madrid has greenlit an urgent plan for the removal of burnt trees in approximately 34,000 hectares devastated by wildfires that occurred last July. The decision, published in the Official Bulletin of the Community of Madrid (BOCM), aims primarily to reduce the risk of pests and diseases that could affect the surviving trees and thus facilitate the recovery of the local ecosystem.
The resolution allows for work such as felling, sanitary clearing, and the extraction of burnt wood, both on public lands not directly managed by the regional administration and on private forests. This approach seeks to prevent boring insects, particularly bark beetles, from spreading among the still healthy forest areas.
From now on, it will no longer be necessary to request individual authorisations to carry out these tasks, although owners or companies must inform the authorities of their intention at least ten working days in advance before starting any work.
Among the established conditions, priority is given to the removal of burnt trees, especially conifers, as well as a series of restrictions on land use. For example, extracting root balls is prohibited to promote natural regrowth, and part of the smaller wood must be allocated to build brushwood fences that help prevent erosion in steep areas.
The duration of the extraordinary regime is set until 30 April 2027 for coniferous stands and until 31 December of the same year for other vegetation formations. However, urban or developable land and those forests considered of public utility are excluded from the plan.
In addition to the plan to clean the forests affected by the fires, hunting restrictions have also been implemented in 75 hunting grounds, where it is estimated that the flames have caused significant damage. This measure aims to protect animal species while their natural habitat recovers. The regional administration has recommended installing strategic points for water and supplementary feeding, as well as building temporary shelters to support local wildlife.
It is not unusual for drastic measures to be taken after a wildfire; however, this action is particularly relevant given the magnitude of the disaster that occurred this summer. The fire started on 22 July, rapidly spreading from Almorox to Villa del Prado and severely impacting adjacent areas.
As this administrative process advances, it is crucial that owners are informed about how to proceed if they wish to participate in these forestry activities. For more information on how to submit communications or specific details about current regulations, they can consult directly with the Community of Madrid.
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