Andalusia forest fires: 60% of summer blazes have unknown causes

Approximately 60% of the forest fires recorded this summer in Andalusia currently have unknown causes, according to Javier Rufino, the coordinating prosecutor for the Environment. Rufino noted the significant difficulty in determining the exact origin of fires and identifying responsible parties when human intervention is involved.

Among the fires with known causes, negligence and imprudence account for roughly 10%, while deliberate arson represents a slightly lower percentage. While the prosecution's role is reactive—relying on police and scientific investigations—there has been a substantial increase in the number of people investigated, detained, and held in preventive custody across Spain.

Rufino emphasized that criminal consequences for causing forest fires can be more severe than commonly perceived. Intentional fires that endanger lives can result in prison sentences of between 10 and 20 years, though he argued against the necessity of increasing current penalties as a primary solution.