Spain protests erupt over forest fire management and rural neglect

Massive protests have erupted across several Spanish regions, specifically in Aragon and Castilla y León, following devastating summer forest fires. In Jaca, thousands of demonstrators gathered under the slogan ‘Aragón Arde’ to criticize the management of the Las Peñas de Riglos fire, which destroyed approximately 14,500 hectares.

Protesters, led by groups such as Pirineo Digno and the Movement for the Dignity of the Mountain, are demanding structural changes in forest management. Key grievances include the need for better fire prevention during winter, increased staffing for forest firefighters, and support for extensive livestock farming to combat the accumulation of forest mass caused by rural depopulation and climate change. The demonstrations also expressed solidarity with the ongoing indefinite strike by Aragon's forest firefighters, who are demanding better working conditions and adequate resources.

Simultaneously, in Castilla y León, the platform ‘Nuestra Tierra Vuelve a Arder’ organized coordinated protests in cities like Salamanca, Segovia, León, and Burgos. Demonstrators there highlighted the environmental tragedy in their region, which has seen over 90,000 hectares burned this summer, and called for more public technical and human resources to protect both ecosystems and rural populations.