Spain wildfire: PM Sánchez to visit Niebla disaster zone

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit the Niebla wildfire zone, an event described as one of the most significant in Spain's history due to its vast scale. The fire has devastated parts of the Huelva and Seville provinces, with recent estimates suggesting the burned area has surpassed 40,000 hectares, while some local agricultural representatives suggest the perimeter could approach 46,000 hectares.

The Spanish government has declared the area a 'catastrophic zone,' a designation that enables various recovery measures. These include tax exemptions for property and economic activities, social security relief, and government subsidies covering up to 50% of the costs for repairing damaged municipal infrastructure.

Experts and forestry organizations warn of the immense long-term challenges. The Asociación Forestal Andaluza estimates that rehabilitating the scorched landscape could cost approximately 400 million euros and take up to 20 years. Immediate priorities for foresters include soil protection to prevent water erosion before the autumn rains arrive.