Abundant Rainfall Sets the Stage for Summer Fires

More Rain Means More Vegetation - and More Fire Danger

Portugal saw heavy rain in winter and spring this year. At first, this seemed like good news. But experts now say the rain helped more grass and bushes grow, especially in rural areas. When summer arrives and the weather gets dry, this thick layer of plants can catch fire easily. Professor Helder Espínola, an environmentalist and university lecturer, says this growing vegetation increases the fire danger. It’s important to clean the land, he explains. “We don’t need to remove everything, but we should clear low plants and thin trees that are too close together, especially near homes and buildings.”

Law Requires Landowners to Act, But Many Struggle

In Portugal, landowners must clean their properties by law. But Espínola says many people cannot do it alone. Some face social or financial challenges that make it difficult to take care of their land.He warns that fires often start near places where people live and work. That makes prevention even more important. According to Espínola, “We need better land management and care for the countryside.”

Rural Lands Need to Be Used Again

Another point Espínola highlights is the need to use the land again for farming and grazing animals. He believes that bringing back agriculture and small-scale livestock could help reduce fire risk. By using the land, people would keep it cleaner and prevent wild plants from growing out of control. He says, “These areas shouldn’t be left empty. If we take care of them, they will be safer and more useful.”

Fires Now Threaten Homes, Not Just Forests

In the past, wildfires mostly damaged forests and mountain areas. But over the last 10 to 15 years, fires have started to destroy homes and towns too. “The problem is getting worse,” Espínola says. While aircraft have improved the way firefighters respond to blazes, he believes this alone is not enough. Prevention is still the best strategy. Cleaning the land, planning where people live, and bringing life back to rural areas are all part of the solution.

Source: RTP Madeira