Los agujeros de la gran maquinaria para apagar incendios en España: “Tenemos problemas hasta para comer”

Spain boasts one of the largest forest fire-fighting machinery fleets in all of Europe. In terms of aircraft and helicopters alone, the country has more extinguishing means than Italy, Portugal, and France combined. It is often said that the current fire monster problem lies not with firefighters or aircraft. However, the system does have its gaps, as the quantity of resources available to battle the flames varies significantly between autonomous communities – those with jurisdiction over forested areas.

According to data gathered this summer by EL PAÍS, the regions with the most firefighters per hectare of forest in 2026 are Madrid and the Canary Islands, while Extremadura and Aragon have the fewest. As for aerial assets, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands have the highest proportion of their own aircraft per forested surface, while Aragon and La Rioja have the least.

While there are many factors to tackle the unprecedented fires, such as better mountain management and community protection plans in the most vulnerable municipalities, it is also essential to prepare more resources and training for the firefighters who face the flames. As fires burn an ever-increasing number of hectares and continue to pose danger to the population, the need for better preparedness becomes increasingly crucial.