Southern Spain research identifies drivers of suppression performance

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionResearchWildland Fire

Southern Spain study reports what suppression achieved in Andalusia

An assessment of wildfire management in Andalusia found that suppression operations protected an estimated 67% of the potentially burnable area across 39 wildfires recorded between 2011 and 2019.

The findings were published in 2026 by Ortega M, López Sancho A and Molina JR in the International Journal of Wildland Fire.

The study estimated that for every unit of cost invested in suppression, about three units of potential economic losses were averted.

The authors concluded that operational performance and economic return varied according to province, fire behaviour and timing within the season.

Provincial, seasonal and fire behaviour patterns shaped results in Spain

The analysis identified consistent differences between provinces in southern Spain, with Córdoba and Sevilla recording higher effectiveness and higher cost-benefit values than Huelva and Cádiz.

Fire growth rate was linked to lower effectiveness, with faster-growing fires more difficult to contain.

Longer control times were associated with improved cost-benefit and cost effectiveness values.

The study reported lower containment effectiveness for fires occurring in June compared with July and August.

Later-season fires were associated with higher cost effectiveness.

Wildfires igniting during daytime were less effectively contained than those starting at night.

Higher rates of spread and longer flame lengths were linked in the modelling to increased technical efficiency values, alongside longer control times.

Modified index proposed to reflect area saved rather than area burned

The paper reported that the traditional Management Index relates suppression costs to total area burned, which can produce low values when fires are kept small.

To address this, the authors proposed a modified Management Index that links suppression costs to the area saved from burning.

The mean technical efficiency value reported in the study was 0.61, and the mean modified index value was 0.33.

The authors stated that combining measures of operational effectiveness and economic efficiency provides a multidimensional framework for assessing wildfire suppression performance in Spain.

Spanish wildfires force thousands to evacuate

by Active

An out-of-control wildfire is raging in Spain’s southern region of Andalusia, forcing more than 3,100 people to evacuate, authorities said Sunday.

The blaze broke out Thursday in the mountains near the town of Almonaster la Real, 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the city of Seville. It has already scorched 100 square kilometers (38.5 square miles).

Sixteen helicopters and eight planes are helping more than 500 workers tackle the blaze, including firefighters and army emergency personnel who worked around the clock this weekend.

“It is very difficult to say when the wildfire will be under control,” said Juan Sanchez of the Andalusia Forest Fire Department, as weather conditions are playing a key role.

The wind dropped overnight, making their task a little easier, but authorities expect the fire will be fueled by strong winds later Sunday. Crews were also struggling to reach all affected areas because of the rugged terrain, officials said.

A further 70 people were evacuated Saturday because of a wildfire in Mula, a small town in Spain’s southeastern region of Murcia, while firefighters are also trying to extinguish two wildfires in the western region of Extremadura.

Globalstar deploys 550 SPOT Gen3TM satellite-enabled safety devices in Andalusia, Spain

by Projects

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd announces that 550 SPOT Gen3TM satellite-enabled safety devices have been deployed to safeguard and track firefighters across the vast expanse of Andalusia in southern Spain.

For this rapidly-delivered project, SPOT Gen3 satellite messengers are the backbone of an advanced fire management technology platform from wildfire solutions specialist Technosylva to monitor and protect the region’s fire response teams and vehicles.

This was a particularly urgent requirement by INFOCA, the administrative authority for forest and wildfire management, a department of the Junta de Andalucia, the local government for this region. INFOCA needed a fast deployment of a far-reaching, reliable tracking system to monitor and protect firefighters as Spain deals with the many complications and risks created by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

INFOCA is one of the largest fire authorities in Europe with 5,000 response personnel. Andalusia is Spain’s most populous region with eight million inhabitants and several million tourists throughout the year. Fire is a major problem in Andalusia, its climate always subject to the extreme influences of the Sahara Desert. With its rugged and mountainous terrain, human exposure to fire risk is very high.

Along with the need to provide 24/7 operational safety to firefighters in this potentially volatile environment, Spain has been dramatically affected by this year’s Covid-19 crisis. Since the outbreak began, INFOCA has been collaborating with other emergency services to deploy measures intended to limit the virus’ spread, and it has engaged in extensive prevention activities to protect the public. For instance, INFOCA’s fire equipment has been deployed to help with disinfection operations.

Joaquin Ramirez Cisneros, Principal Consultant at Technosylva, explains: “INFOCA was very clear – this requirement was very urgent because of Covid-19.”

Technosylva provides sophisticated fire behaviour analysis and management software. Fire authority operations teams can precisely track firefighters’ locations, via a user-friendly display of GPS positions in near real-time via the Technosylva fiResponse™ platform, a wildfire decision support system.

Thanks to the pre-integration and smooth inter-operation between fiResponse and SPOT Gen3, the deployment for INFOCA was able to be completed in record time, in a matter of weeks. INFOCA already had confidence in the capabilities of Technosylva and SPOT because in July 2015, Junta de Castilla La Mancha fire authority selected Technosylva and SPOT Gen3 devices to safeguard its fire response teams in the neighbouring region.

“To keep crews safe, it is critical to accurately and reliably monitor where the firefighters are at all times, in relation to the engines, pumps and other equipment,” says Ramirez Cisneros. If a firefighter needs help urgently, with the single press of SPOT Gen3’s SOS button, INFOCA operations co-ordinators are alerted, the user’s GPS coordinates are instantly transmitted, and rescue or support procedures can be initiated.

“When there is a fire, it is also important to know how far away firefighters and resources are from the heart of it: The ability to track personnel, and the resources they use, all in real-time, is the Holy Grail in fire management,” he added.

Gary King, SPOT Regional Sales Manager at Globalstar, commented: “We’ve seen a dramatic uptake of SPOT devices among first responders, and we are proud that our technology is helping to safeguard and support Andalusia’s firefighters.”

The new agreement with the Junta de Andalusia builds on Technosylva’s earlier adoption by other firefighting organisations around the world. Technosylva has extensive and growing reach in the US, having numerous state-level fire authorities as customers, as well as supporting fire agencies in Spain, Canada and Latin America.

SPOT Gen3 is a rugged, pocket-sized low-priced personal GPS messenger that helps users stay connected via satellite even where there is poor or no GSM signal. SPOT devices have been used in over 7,000 rescues worldwide since Globalstar launched the technology in 2007.

www.globalstar.com/