Castilla y León's medieval forest management tradition curbs wildfires

In the Pinares comarca of Castilla y León, a medieval communal wood‑cutting right known as the "derecho de suertes" is credited with keeping Spain's largest pine forest largely free of severe fires. The practice, dating back to the Middle Ages, allocates timber and firewood rights to each of the roughly 40 villages across more than 100,000 hectares, promoting equitable resource use and forest conservation.

The region's sustainable silvicultural treatment creates gaps in fuel continuity, which authorities and experts say has prevented large‑scale wildfires despite a national surge in fire activity. In 2025 Spain recorded 140,000 hectares burned, and by June 2026 the European fire information system reported 36,583 hectares burned, nearly four times the same period the year before. Asier Rojo, dean of the Castilla y León College of Forestry Engineers, highlighted the tradition's role in maintaining forest health and reducing fire risk.

The continued application of this historic management system demonstrates how community‑based practices can contribute to modern wildfire mitigation in a climate‑challenged landscape.