Catalonia will not cut a single euro from its wildfire prevention budget, President Salvador Illa has pledged, following a major forest fire in Girona that burned approximately 2,300 hectares in July 2026.

The announcement came during a cabinet meeting held at the historic Monestir de les Avellanes in Os de Balaguer, Lleida, marking the opening of the political term. The remote location was chosen to highlight the importance of rural forest policy and the challenges faced by inland communities.

On 28 August 2026, Illa signed a new protocol with the leaders of Catalonia’s four provincial Diputaciones, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, to improve forest management and fire prevention. The agreement, reported by Europa Press, establishes a framework for sustained collaboration aimed at streamlining coordination, sharing technical resources, and supporting smaller municipalities.

Expanded Resources and Joint Action

Under the protocol, the Catalan government plans to increase technical resources, hire additional firefighters and rural agents, and strengthen operational cooperation between regional and local authorities.

We will not cut a single euro in emergencies, forest management, or prevention.

The commitment, directly quoted from Illa in the Europa Press report, underscores the government’s determination to confront the growing threat of wildfires intensified by climate change, a challenge Illa noted some administrations still deny.

  • The fire in Girona was the only major wildfire in Catalonia during the 2026 summer season.
  • The protocol will lead to a formal agreement within six months detailing roles, coordination mechanisms, and evaluation tools.
  • Focus areas include data sharing, forest maintenance on public and private land, and technical support for municipalities.

The Diputaciones will act as intermediaries, helping smaller towns access funding, expertise, and equipment for preventive forest clearing and firebreak creation.

Prevention Over Reaction

According to El País, the strategy reflects lessons learned from previous fire seasons, including the 2023 wildfire in Portbou, for which a post-damage assessment was published by the Joint Research Centre.

While Catalonia has invested in early detection systems and public awareness, this new phase emphasizes proactive land management. The government aims to reduce fire risk through sustained maintenance, especially in wildland-urban interfaces where homes meet forested areas.

Residents and local officials in high-risk areas are encouraged to engage with their Diputació for guidance on preventive measures and funding opportunities under the expanded cooperation framework.

Reported by RUSSPAIN.com, europapress.es, qoshe.com, doi.org, en.ara.cat, euroweeklynews.com, elpais.com.