“Every summer the same scenario unfolds – fires following fires. It’s a sad fate for us.
The north of the country is ravaged by wildfires due to climate conditions, rural property neglect, and criminal acts. The crime of arson should be punished severely.
A decisive stance is needed to change this trend.
I support the establishment of a general directorate, akin to the National Health Service, led by a forestry engineer, solely focused on the prevention and combating of fires.
When a fire breaks out, responsibility shifts to Civil Protection, which provides excellent service in safeguarding lives and properties but not in extinguishing fires.
There is a lack of coordination among various structures and commands. The National Guard oversees surveillance, the Ministry of Agriculture handles prevention, and the Ministry of Internal Administration is responsible for extinguishment.
A unified command is necessary for all efforts, from prevention teams to urgent military intervention.
Nature has demonstrated to politicians the importance of prevention. Without preventive management, tragedies will continue to occur.
Only 5% of the forestry budget is allocated to preventive work, such as forest cleaning or creating firebreaks, 15% to surveillance, and the remainder to extinguishment.
There is a shortage of security personnel and aerial resources.
We need to reinstate forest rangers. Strategic surveillance towers are crucial for detecting fires, identifying where flames begin, understanding smoke characteristics and direction, and evaluating danger based on area knowledge. This system has been dismantled. Surveillance cameras are not completely effective.
Helicopters, firefighting vehicles, and personnel with proper working conditions are needed.”
