The increasing challenge of forest fires in Spain, and the response from space

Every summer, Spain must face one of its most severe environmental challenges: forest fires. The country’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers, which makes much of its territory prone to the spread of wildfires. According to data released by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, the area affected by fires has increased in recent years, because of a combination of climatic and socioeconomic factors. This demonstrates the urgency of addressing this problem on multiple fronts.

Causes of forest fires in Spain

Forest fires do not have a single cause. Instead, they are the result of complex interactions between natural and human elements.

• Natural factors: heat waves are increasingly frequent because of the effects of climate change. They drastically reduce moisture levels in the soil and vegetation, which increases the risk of ignition. In addition, when biomass accumulates in forests, it acts as a highly flammable source of fuel.
• Human causes: according to Spain’s central government, more than 90% of the country’s forest fires are related to human causes, with approximately half of these fires started intentionally (Ministry for Ecological Transition, quoted in the La Razón newspaper, 2025). Other fires are started accidentally, such as by barbecues, discarded cigarette butts, or agricultural work. The environment is also made more vulnerable by urbanization in rural areas, and by the expanding interface between developed land and forest zones.
• Rural population loss: depopulation in agricultural and forested areas has led to lower levels of land maintenance. This causes accumulation of dry vegetation that can facilitate the spread of fire.

Environmental, social, and economic consequences

Forest fires have devastating impacts that extend far beyond the loss of forest cover.

• Environmental: destruction of natural habitats threatens biodiversity and puts native species at risk. In addition, large amounts of CO₂ are released when forests burn. This contributes to climate change by creating a vicious circle.
• Social: rural communities directly suffer the effects of forest fires, through evacuations, damage to infrastructure, and loss of homes. Personal safety becomes the top priority during emergencies.
• Economic: every year, the costs of fighting fires and restoring burned areas, combined with the loss of natural resources, have an impact on Spain’s economy worth many millions of euros. Tourism, which is a vital source of income in many parts of the country, is also affected by damage to the local landscapes.

Prevention and management: key aspects for reducing forest fires

Experience has demonstrated that in addition to investing in firefighting resources, it is essential to invest in fire prevention, monitoring, and risk management. This is where space technology can play a fundamental role. Thanks to Earth observation by satellites, it is now possible to anticipate risk scenarios and act more effectively at all stages: prevention, early detection, monitoring, and landscape recovery.

Eoclima: GMV’s solution for anticipating climate risk

GMV is a leading company in the development of technological solutions, including the one known as Eoclima. This is an innovative tool that takes advantage of information generated by Earth observation satellites. The result is improved monitoring and prediction of climatic and environmental phenomena.

Eoclima offers new ways of addressing the problem of forest fires, by providing:

• Accurate risk assessment: climatic and environmental indicators can be used to identify areas with a higher probability of fires, before an incident occurs.
• Landscape restoration support: after a fire has occurred, Eoclima facilitates evaluation of its impact on vegetation and ecosystems, which assists with the design of more effective recovery strategies.
• Integration with climate policies: this solution is aligned with the European Union’s objectives on climate change resilience and adaptation, by giving governmental agencies and other entities a key tool for designing sustainable action plans.

Technological innovation to create a safer future

Addressing the challenge of forest fires in Spain requires a comprehensive approach that can bring together societal awareness, active prevention, and the use of advanced technologies. Tools like GMV’s Eoclima are now serving as strategic allies, not only for mitigating the immediate impact of wildfires, but also for building a future that is more resilient when faced by the effects of climate change.

With assistance from Earth observation and technological innovation, Spain is now making progress towards more effective forms of forest management, in order to reduce risks, protect local populations, and preserve the country’s priceless natural heritage.

Author: Carlos Doménech

Autor: Carlos Doménech