Collaboration agreement between Red Eléctrica and the Government of Extremadura for the prevention and fighting of forest fires.

In 2014, Red Eléctrica gave 55 sets of personal protective gear for forest fire fighting volunteers in Extremadura. Each set of gear included the following elements: fire-resistant overalls and buff, yellow hard hat, protective neck flap, fire goggles, gloves, belts and forest boots, masks, water canteen and helmet-mounted light.

Collaboration agreement between Red Eléctrica and the Island Council of Tenerife for the prevention and fighting of forest fires.

In 2014, Red Eléctrica together with the Island Council of Tenerife carried out an awareness campaign in order to make the population living in rural areas of the island aware of the measures to take to prevent fire and its spread.

The campaign consisted of 20 informative sessions aimed at some 1,500 people living near forested areas. Similarly, graphics and videos were produced to show the public the difficulty of firefighting activities, its limitations and the real capabilities of neighbours to actually take on a forest fire with their own resources.

In addition, public information and fire warning activities regarding the high fire risk in the area were carried out during periods of adverse weather conditions (heat wave). These had an impact on approximately 70,000-80,000 people through the mass media (radio, informative session, press) and approximately 15,000 people via direct information methods (social networks, road signage, door-to-door, patrols in high-risk areas, etc.).

Collaboration agreement between Red Eléctrica and the Government of the Balearic Islands for the prevention and fighting of forest fires.

Red Eléctrica and the Government of the Balearic Islands collaborated in 2014 in order to create a safety zone perimeter to protect the residential estate of Crestatx (Sa Pobla), at the foot of the Sierra de Tramontana, with the aim of preventing forest fires in the area.

With this fire break strip, 30 metres wide, made linearly around the perimeter of the residential estate has reduced the vertical and horizontal continuity of a possible fuel source, so that the start or spread of wildfires is made more difficult. In this area the forest undergrowth was cleared by removing the most highly flammable vegetation & scrub, the trees were pruned and tree density was reduced to prevent a possible surface fire from becoming a treetop to treetop fire.

To do this, threatened plant and flora species were respected, i.e. those included in the endangered, vulnerable, conservation dependent  or sensitive to habitat alteration categories, specified in Decree 75/2005 of 8 July (BOIB (Balearic Islands’ Official State Gazette) no. 106 of 16/07/05).

Collaboration agreement between Red Eléctrica and the Government of Aragon for the prevention and fighting of forest fires.

In 2014, Red Eléctrica collaborated with the Government of Aragón on a pilot test to verify the effectiveness of a forestry waste collection and compactor vehicle, machinery used to remove and compact waste vegetation from forestry management activities in the highlands of Aragon.

With this action, the effectiveness of a forestry waste collection and compactor vehicle was compared with other more traditional forestry waste management methods.

Collaboration agreement between Red Eléctrica and the Government of Valencia for the prevention and fighting of forest fires.

Red Eléctrica has collaborated with the Government of Valencia, on a pilot project entailing the managed and limited grazing as a method of control and to halt the spread of Arundo donax (Giant Reed). This plant is considered one of the 100 most invasive and dangerous in the world as it spreads fire rapidly and is much more effective at establishing itself in an area than our native riverbank species. Its resilience to fire and its capacity to regrow in the wake of these fires indicate that, if measures are not taken to halt its spread, it will completely take over the riverbank habitats.

Using this technique involves an integration of the solution with rural development, being in addition a much more progressive and natural method compared to mechanised processes. Similarly, in the future, it will be possible to combine projects for the integration of cutting back and clearing of vegetation activities with ecotourism projects.

The activity takes place on a plot of 30 hectares following the course of the Turia River. It covers a length of about two kilometres of river and has an average width of 150 metres. On this plot 60 livestock animals are used, mainly horses, but also donkeys and mules.

Since 2007, Red Eléctrica established collaboration agreements with public administration entities to coordinate actions related to preventing and fighting forest fires. These agreements, in addition to addressing issues related to the forestry management in areas where electricity lines are present, encompass other commitments such as tests and trials of new solutions for preventing and fighting forest fires, carrying out awareness-raising campaigns, the provision of personal protective equipment for extinguishing fires, improving forest tracks and the refurbishment of access paths.

Development of an educational route through the highlands of Zuera to bring people closer to the rich natural and cultural heritage of these highlands and their main enemy, forest fires.

Merchandising for the campaign “We all play a role in the fight against fire” (“Contra el fuego todos actuamos”) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia focused on raising awareness on matters regarding fire prevention and the fight against fire of school-aged children in Andalusia.

Develop educational materials focused on the topic of forest fire prevention, to be included as part of the educational curriculum of the schools of the Community of Valencia.

Development of an autonomous surveillance system for the detection of forest fires in the vicinity of high-voltage overhead lines.