26 de July de 2016
The MAGRAMA, through its General Directorate of Rural Development and Forestry Policy (DGDRPF), has completed the restoration work following the major forest fire that occurred on July 4, 2015, in the Cinco Villas region, and which spread to the municipalities of Orés, Asín, Uncastillo, Ejea de los Caballeros and Biota (Zaragoza).
July 26, 2016
The fire affected a total area of 13,889 hectares, of which 7,0143 hectares were forested. The investment in these works amounts to €500,000.
The objectives achieved by this forest and environmental restoration project and the complementary actions carried out in the mountains affected by the forest fire in question are:
- Reduce erosion risks after forest fires
- Reduce the risks of pests and diseases after the forest fire
- Restoration of a mixed forest stand that will provide different possibilities and ecological diversity in the future.
- Reconcile the various interests that society demands from the natural environment, whether these are productive, protective, social use, or biodiversity aspects.
- Harmonize social and economic interests with environmental conservation.
The actions carried out are summarized as follows:
-35 ha of removal of burnt vegetation to facilitate the regrowth of chirpiales (in the case of oaks) and to facilitate natural regeneration (in the case of Aleppo pine forests).
-101 ha of fascines for erosion control in areas with steep slopes, by felling burned trees, preparing them, and constructing vegetation cordons with the felled remains.
-35,000 reforestation holes, excavated using backhoes, for Aleppo pine and holm oak plantations in specific areas with a high risk of erosion and limited possibilities for natural regeneration.
-9,130 m of trail openings to facilitate access for restoration work or for general forest management. These works have been completed with 23,734 m of repairs and improvements to existing paths, including 16 water crossings and 3 speed bumps.
-Construction of 1 water tank to extinguish future fires that may occur in the area.
These projects are 53% co-financed by the EAFRD (Federal Agricultural Fund), within the framework of the National Rural Development Program. These projects, along with similar restoration efforts from large forest fires (those affecting an area greater than 500 hectares) carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAGRAMA) (DGDRPF), are part of the overall collaborative and supportive actions for the Autonomous Communities in the areas of hydrological and forestry restoration and the fight against erosion and desertification.