The Barcelona Provincial Council has allocated €391,383 to Central Catalonia for a fire prevention programme targeting urbanisations and residential areas in high-risk forested zones. This funding is part of a larger €2 million initiative across the Barcelona demarcation, according to a council statement.
The Central Catalonia allocation will be distributed across four counties: Bages (€194,702), Berguedà (€148,743), Anoia (€42,427), and Moianès (€5,511). These grants will finance the creation of external protection strips around inhabited areas located within or 500 metres of forest land. Works are scheduled for 2027.
The funds will cover both forestry work and the technical direction of the projects. Officials estimate the programme will create 337 hectares of perimeter strips and treat 76 hectares of council-owned plots. In total, 57 locations across 52 municipalities in ten counties will benefit from the overall programme.
County Allocations
The Baix Llobregat county will receive the largest share of the total funding, with €565,580 for seven municipalities and eight population centres. Maresme follows with €491,591 for eight municipalities and nine centres, and Vallès Oriental with €278,613 for ten municipalities and twelve centres. Other counties receiving funds include Osona (€149,814), Vallès Occidental (€75,703), and Alt Penedès (€69,165).
Jordi Fàbrega, the Deputy for Fire Prevention and Forest Management, visited a project in the Ca n’Armengol urbanisation in Corbera de Llobregat. He stated that the Provincial Council "works jointly with local councils to create perimeter protection strips in urbanisations and population centres, with the aim of mitigating the effects of a possible forest fire."
Fàbrega also called for public involvement, reminding residents that "the fight against fires is a shared responsibility and prevention is key, both for administrations and citizens." He stressed "the importance for private plot owners to keep their land clear to reduce fuel in case of fire."
Types of Interventions
The funded actions include two types of interventions. The first is the perimeter protection strip, which focuses on forest land surrounding urbanisations. The second involves treating publicly owned municipal plots located within these perimeter strips. Many projects combine both types of intervention to maximise their protective effect. Beyond financial aid, the Barcelona Provincial Council offers councils assistance throughout the project execution process.
This initiative aims to enhance safety for residents in forested areas, with ongoing efforts to ensure the timely completion of these critical prevention measures.
