Dave
This as well translated from here: https://www.eltiempo.es/noticias/incendio-sierra-de-la-culebra-1-ano-despues-la-situacion – It seems that many promised projects and help are still lacking…..
IF Sierra de la Culebra: One year later, how is the situation?
Analysis of the current situation of the fire in the Sierra de la Culebra one year later.Drafting
June 23, 2023 – 09:22
On June 15, 2022, a sixth generation forest fire started in the Sierra de la Culebra , in Zamora, in the municipality of Ferreras de Arriba. This was one of the largest fires in the past year and in recent decades. It affected about 30,000 hectares in the two weeks it lasted. Total extinction occurred several months later.A year later , in 2023, many have forgotten what a catastrophe it was . Both for the environment and for the inhabitants of the area. That is why it is worth commenting on the situation in the Sierra de Culebra 365 days after it happened.
Neighborhood associations , companies and local entities protest because much of the promised aid has not yet been received or executed . “More has been invested in political marketing than in compensating the affected people,” the Rural Coordinator of Zamora detailed in a recent statement.
The fire in the Sierra de la Culebra, one year later
In August 2022 , the Junta de Castilla y León launched an “environmental and economic recovery plan” for the area for the 13 affected municipalities endowed with 35 million euros. For its part, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge allocated 2 million euros to emergency forest restoration work in the area affected by the fire in the Sierra de la Culebra.«When after so much suffering, when everything should have changed, we are aware that nothing has. A year later, there is no plan to recover what was lost , the Junta de Castilla y León has not assumed responsibilities » , they claim from this entity.
According to the association “La Culebra no se calla” , an entity designed to favor those affected by the fires in this environment, it is estimated that more than 80 million euros in losses and more than 300 businesses affected by the fire in the Sierra de la Snake.
What were the most affected sectors?
With regard to agricultural organizations , various entities point out that the committed action plan against fires has not been fulfilled a year later. «Aid has not been established for the affected livestock buildings. Nor have aid been established for the extensive damage that displaced fauna causes in agricultural and livestock activities. This was recently pointed out by the person in charge of the environment of COAG, José Manuel Soto to Agronews Castilla y León.Image source: Desbroces in Villardeciervos. ARACELI SAAVEDRA. The snake is not silent.
In addition, sectors such as beekeeping have also been affected by the fire in the Sierra de la Culebra. For example, the execution of silvopastoral plans for livestock in the surrounding area is diminishing the living vegetation , essential for bees.“Villardeciervos beekeeping is in danger due to the clearing of the vegetation saved from the fire, since the Silvopastoral plans are ending the vegetation of ten hectares of Val del Coso, where there are 7 settlements with 350 hives,” they explained in March 2023 from the La Culebra Association does not shut up.
Other forest fires in the Sierra de la Culebra
In the same area of Zamora , in the municipality of Losacio , there was also a large forest fire on July 17 that affected another 35,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land . This fire even had human losses. Four people died, including volunteer residents of the region and a forest firefighter.These two fires are considered two of the largest losses in terms of area in Castilla y León (and Spain) since there are records.
What is the Sierra de la Culebra and where is it?
The Sierra de la Culebra is a natural environment in the province of Zamora. In fact, it is considered one of the most important mountainous environments in Castilla y León . It has an extension of about 50 km and the highest levels reach 1,300 meters of altitude .The area is characterized by a very marked relief and orography with mountains, valleys and slopes. Regarding its vegetation , holm oak and oak forests are the most common . Although you can find pine forests and other trees such as chestnut trees.
In terms of biodiversity , the Sierra de la Culebra is known mainly for being one of the most important habitats in the Iberian Peninsula for the conservation of the Iberian wolf. This area is home to one of the most significant and stable populations of wolves in Spain. This is an important tourist attraction.
In addition to its importance for wildlife conservation, the Sierra de la Culebra also offers beautiful natural landscapes and opportunities for rural tourism and outdoor activities, such as hiking, bird watching, and nature photography.
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