Navarra forest firefighters protest labor conditions amid Carcastillo wildfires

Forest firefighters in Navarra are battling a wildfire in Carcastillo as they issue a public manifesto demanding better working conditions. The fire, visible via aerial footage as a dense column of white smoke over a pine forest, has prompted emergency responses from the Peralta and Tafalla fire stations, including the use of helicopters for water drops.

In the manifesto, 110 professionals warn that the current labor structure prevents the maintenance of a professional and consolidated public service. They highlight a high level of structural precariousness, noting that of the approximately 180 professionals, 126 work on contracts of only four months and 54 work on nine-month contracts.

The collective argues that this seasonal employment model leads to high staff turnover, a loss of experienced personnel to other regions, and a reliance on inexperienced workers at the start of campaigns. They are calling for an end to seasonal labor and a move toward year-round professionalization to ensure safety and efficiency in high-risk firefighting operations.