Spain's CSIF union flags critical gaps in INFOCA wildfire prevention campaign

The Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios (CSIF) union has warned that the launch of the high‑risk wildfire prevention campaign under the INFOCA plan in Andalusia is the most deficient in recent years. The union cites a severe shortage of personnel, the closure of several fire‑watch posts, and fire trucks operating with only a single firefighter. It also criticises the regional administration for using the Servicio Andaluz de Empleo (SAE) to fill vacancies despite the existence of qualified forest firefighters who have passed the required tests.

CSIF claims that some retainers have only three of the seven required crew members, that reinforcement brigades are understaffed, and that mobile units are not being authorised for workers with dependent family members. The union has filed a complaint with the Labor Inspectorate and is demanding that the Junta de Andalucía immediately complete the INFOCA device, provide sufficient staffing, and ensure safety and health guarantees for firefighters. The union’s secretary‑general, Gregorio López, said the start of the campaign is “el peor y más deficiente de los últimos años con diferencia” and warned that the deficiencies “constituyen una amenaza para la seguridad de los bomberos forestales y para la protección del patrimonio natural andaluz.”