Spanish municipalities address fire risks from overgrown private plots

Local authorities and residents in Spanish municipalities are addressing fire risks caused by overgrown vegetation on abandoned or private plots.

In San Andrés del Rabanedo, the local neighborhood council has issued renewed demands to the City Council for the clearing of several plots covered in dry weeds. President María Amparo García stated that requests have been made since April, both in writing and verbally, but no action has been taken. The council expressed concern that high temperatures and the proximity of dry vegetation to homes increase the risk of fire, noting that the local entity lacks the financial and material resources to perform these tasks independently.

In Torrent, the City Council is preparing to intervene in approximately 50 private plots that require clearing. Following years of resident complaints, the municipality is finalizing a contract with a specialized company to perform subsidiary cleaning on lands where owners have failed to meet their maintenance obligations. Urban Planning Councilor José Gozalvo noted that while property owners are responsible for their land, the city will step in to mitigate risks through this new contract, which is expected to be awarded in September.