Sagunto's council unanimously approves a declaration demanding a national fire prevention strategy and shows its support for the victims, following a summer with over 152,000 hectares burned in Spain.
The ordinary council meeting in August of Sagunto City Council has unanimously approved an institutional declaration of solidarity with those affected by wildfires and a call for political unity to promote a national prevention strategy. The agreement, supported by all municipal groups, urges state administrations to declare comprehensive forest management and fire prevention as strategic priorities of environmental policy, with a stable and multiannual budget framework.
The text also calls for harmonising and expediting bureaucratic procedures to safely clear ravines, forest roads, bordering developments, and mountains. Additionally, it asks all social and political actors in Spain to develop a Coordinated State Plan that addresses these challenges through unity and administrative collaboration, incorporating the knowledge of all involved sectors.
The declaration acknowledges and supports the work of emergency teams and workers involved in prevention and extinction, and expresses solidarity with those affected by the fires ravaging the country. According to ministerial data cited in the document, since January 1, 2026, fires have burned 152,687 hectares and caused 32 major wildfires, compared to 24,133 hectares during the same period in 2025, representing a sixfold increase.
As of July 26, over 100,000 people had been evacuated or confined due to fires in Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo, as well as the fires affecting the Vall d'Uixó, not to mention the fire in the Salt de l'Aigua ravine in Manises, which claimed the life of a farmer from the city. The Burgohondo fire (Ávila) burned more than 50,000 hectares, becoming the largest in Spain's history since records began.
The risk in Sagunto
The City Council emphasises the uniqueness of the municipality, which covers 13,243 hectares, of which 4,193 are forested areas. Among its protected natural spaces are the Sierra Calderona, the Marjal dels Moros, and the Marjal de Almenara, environmental heritages that must be preserved by public administrations.
Historical data indicates that since 1993, 114 fires have been recorded in the municipality, affecting 454.5 hectares, nearly 3.5% of the total area. In light of this reality, the declaration insists that forests are a fundamental pillar against rising temperatures and desertification, advocating for a paradigm shift that strengthens investment in extinction.
The way we act today will determine the country we leave for future generations,” the text states, adding: “In the 21st century, we must be able to harness the knowledge offered by experience and science and integrate it with the traditional practices and work of farmers and ranchers.
The agreement concludes that a Coordinated State Plan is necessary, a common strategy, and a joint budgetary effort, because when a fire occurs, citizens expect to be protected and to reap the benefits of well-planned work. The declaration thus joins the voices calling for a united response to the climate emergency.
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