Fire prevention measures in La Roca del Vallès

In the context of growing concern about drought and forest fires, Espais Verds del Vallès has been contracted by the La Roca del Vallès City Council to carry out a fire prevention project. With a duration of three years (2024-2026), this project aims to reduce tree density and clear undergrowth in the outer protection strips of the municipality. Below, we will detail the key aspects of this project, including tree selection criteria, felling techniques and the wood stacking and extraction process.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF DROUGHT

The drought in Catalonia has reached worrying levels, affecting not only water resources but also increasing the risk of forest fires. Dry conditions and lack of rainfall make vegetation extremely flammable, creating an environment conducive to the rapid spread of fire. In this context, fire prevention becomes a priority for local councils.

La Roca del Vallès is strongly committed to fire prevention due to its location, surrounded by extensive forest areas. The implementation of protection strips by reducing tree density and clearing undergrowth is a proven strategy to mitigate these risks. The strips act as natural firebreaks, preventing fires from spreading uncontrollably towards inhabited areas.

TREE AND VEGETATION SELECTION CRITERIA

One of the most important aspects of the project is the careful selection of the trees that will be cut down and those that will be preserved. Selection criteria include:

• Coverage distribution: the canopy capacity fraction of the tree stratum must be less than 35%, ensuring a homogeneous distribution of the remaining trees and a minimum space of 6 meters between trunks.
• Distance between crowns: horizontal continuity between crowns will be avoided to reduce the spread of fire.
• Low-flammability species: species that are not highly flammable will be prioritized, maintaining those with a high water content in their tissues during the summer.

TREE FELLING AND PROCESSING

Tree felling will be carried out following strict regulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of the process:

• Complete delimbing
• Cutting
• Treatment of crowns

Other considerations of the works

The management of the extracted wood is another essential component of the project:

Stacking: the wood will be stacked using hooks, clamps and forks, and will be extracted by tractor, skidder or forwarder.

Extraction: the wood will be transported to loading docks strategically located at the foot of the roads. Any wood that cannot be used will be stacked at marked points and away from the remaining trees.

CONTINUOUS MAINTENANCE AT LA ROCA DEL VALLÈS (2025 and 2026)

After the opening of the strips in 2024, the project includes a maintenance plan for the years 2025 and 2026. This plan ensures that the protection strips remain effective through the continuous removal of shoots and the pruning of remaining trees.

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Espais Verds del Vallès, Grupo TMA, has a team of highly qualified professionals specialized in various areas such as landscaping, engineering, biology and arboriculture. We have all the machinery and tools necessary to carry out these tasks, which are constantly renewed to ensure the efficiency and quality of the service.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

In addition to fire prevention, this project has additional environmental benefits. Reducing tree density and properly managing the undergrowth can improve the overall health of the forest ecosystem. By removing sick or weak trees, the growth of stronger, healthier specimens is facilitated, which in turn improves biodiversity and the forest’s resistance to pests and diseases.

Clearing the undergrowth also contributes to reducing competition for resources such as water and nutrients, allowing the remaining plants to grow stronger. This can have positive effects on local fauna, providing a healthier and more diverse habitat for numerous species of animals and plants.

This fire prevention project is not only an urgent need to protect La Roca del Vallès from potential forest disasters, but also represents a commitment to the safety and well-being of its inhabitants.

The entire team at Espais Verds del Vallès feels the responsibility of contributing to preserving the natural environment and protecting the municipality from future fires because at a time when drought in Catalonia increases the risks, these measures are more necessary than ever.

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