Niebla forest fire and management dispute

A major forest fire broke out on August 6 in the Raboconejos area of Niebla, Huelva. Experts identified the high flammability of eucalyptus trees as a primary driver of the blaze, with one official describing the species as a ‘gasoline tree’ due to its essential oils and thin bark. Fire management specialists noted the fire exhibited extreme behavior both day and night, making it difficult to extinguish.

The fire was eventually extinguished on August 21, having destroyed approximately 33,651 hectares. Following the event, a dispute emerged regarding the cause of the devastation. While the Junta de Andalucía suggested eucalyptus plantations were the primary cause, the Association of Wood and Biomass Exploitation Companies of Huelva (Apromabi) contested this, stating eucalyptus accounted for only about 35% of the burned area.

Apromabi attributed the fire's intensity to political neglect and insufficient investment in silvicultural treatments over the past two decades. The association specifically cited the accumulation of combustible vegetation and poor maintenance of firebreaks, noting that over 65% of the affected eucalyptus area was located in public forests managed by the Junta de Andalucía or local municipalities.