The Regional Government of Andalucía has intensified its efforts in investigating and preventing forest fires, given the lack of progress on the penal reform proposed by the central government. The autonomous community requested a year ago greater stringency against arsonists and the creation of a national registry of pyromaniacs, but legislative paralysis in the Congress has stalled these initiatives.
On the ground, inter-administrative collaboration is crucial for controlling fires like the one in Niebla (Huelva). The Infoca Plan, the Military Emergencies Unit, firefighters from the Huelva City Council, the Provincial Consortium of Huelva, and those from Seville are working jointly. However, political disputes resurface once temperatures drop, despite Spain suffering devastating fires this summer, including one in Almería and another in Andalucía affecting approximately 20,000 hectares.
The central government, led by Pedro Sánchez, has proposed a Climate Change Pact, but it is considered that this must be accompanied by tangible measures to prevent incidents and punish those responsible. According to data, at least 73% of fires in Andalucía are caused by human action, whether by accident, negligence, or intent.
Late last summer, Andalucía launched a plan to facilitate the imputation and conviction of perpetrators. This plan, developed through Antonio Sanz, national coordinator of Emergencies for the PP, requested the Executive to toughen penalties and implement other control measures. It advocated for a National Registry of Pyromaniacs and the imposition of telematic bracelets during high-risk months.
The Popular Party has registered proposals for a future law that would include increasing the staff of the Seprona (Civil Guard) and facilitating investigations. For its part, Vox presented a non-binding proposal in Congress in June to toughen penalties for forest fire perpetrators, requesting prison sentences of one to five years.
The central government insists on the Climate Change Pact but has not adopted specific measures for forest fires this term. Although the Penal Code has been reformed, penalties for these offenses have not been increased.
At the citizen level, the 'España se quema' campaign is collecting signatures on Change.org to demand an urgent reforestation plan and tougher penalties, seeking to end impunity.
The Regional Government of Andalucía has indeed reinforced investigation and prevention with the new Forestry Law, approved in March, which integrates prevention into ordinary management and increases financial support for private landowners, requiring them to carry out preventive actions.
For investigations, the staff of the National Police Unit Attached to the Autonomous Community of Andalucía has been strengthened, and will double its personnel. This unit achieved a 94% clearance rate for investigated fires last year, resolving 33 out of 35 cases and processing thousands of forestry-related complaints.
Andalucía has implemented new tools and strengthened its administrative and operational structure for fire prevention and management, including the consolidation of the Emergency Agency and the creation of a specific Directorate General for Forest Fire Management, in response to the lack of state-level penal reforms.
