Huelva forest fires threaten Berrocal economy and cork industry

The Niebla forest fire in the province of Huelva has caused significant environmental and economic damage, particularly in the municipality of Berrocal. The fire has devastated local landscapes and threatened the livelihoods of residents who depend on the land for cork, honey, and small-scale agriculture.

In response to the destruction, the Berrocal Cork Cooperative, a pioneer in Andalusia founded in 1976, faces potential closure after the fire destroyed the production intended for its members. Local residents report that the loss of the cork oak forests will impact multiple generations.

To address the recurring threat of summer fires, various forestry, agricultural, and environmental associations in Huelva and Andalusia have launched the ‘Ayudemos a frenar los incendios forestales’ campaign. The alliance is calling for a shift in fire management paradigms, emphasizing the need for structural prevention, effective forest management, and adequate territorial governance to combat the impacts of climate change and rural depopulation.