“Now is the right time to act. The stabilization of the land must be done quickly and expediently,” stated the association in a statement.
The organization Zero highlighted the lack of effective recovery measures could lead to serious risks of erosion, landslides, and water resource contamination.
The association noted that burned lands are particularly vulnerable, with the destruction of vegetation and soil degradation promoting erosion and instability, significantly raising the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides that could severely impact infrastructure and communities.
“Forest fires have profoundly altered the soil: organic matter has been burned, its structure changed, and a hydrophobic layer has formed that reduces infiltration. With fewer roots and dead cover, the soil is exposed to the impact of raindrops, sealing the surface, favoring runoff, and paving the way for gullying,” they specified.
Zero explained that after a fire, the risk of erosion escalates.
They added, “Intense rains mobilize large loads of sediments and ash that clog waterways, increase turbidity, and transport nutrients (nitrates, phosphates) which can trigger eutrophication.”
According to the environmental association, most recently burned protected areas include steep zones, further enhancing the risks of erosion and sediment transport, requiring special attention, increased commitment, and urgent intervention.
Zero stressed the need to ensure that post-fire technical assessment reports are prepared quickly and properly coordinated with responsible entities on the ground.
These reports are essential to identify the most vulnerable areas and ensure stabilization measures are applied in a targeted and effective manner, they emphasized.
In their view, soil stabilization actions should be carried out between the end of the critical fire phase and before the occurrence of the first significant rains because delays at this stage compromise the effectiveness of interventions and exacerbate the risks of erosion and environmental, social, and economic damage.
“Inaction at this critical moment could result in severe consequences for the affected populations and ecosystems,” they reinforced.
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large-scale rural fires since July, especially in the Northern and Central regions.
The fires led to four deaths, including a firefighter, multiple injuries, and the total or partial destruction of primary and secondary residences, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forest area.
According to provisional official data, by August 29, around 252,000 hectares had burned in the country.
