Spain to Classify Burnt Areas as Disaster Zones and Upgrade Aerial Firefighting Fleet

The Spanish government is set to declare regions devastated by this summer's wildfires as 'severely affected' zones, a move that unlocks emergency funds and streamlined aid for local communities. In a parallel initiative, the Cabinet will approve a long-awaited modernization of the country's firefighting aircraft fleet, including the iconic Canadair water bombers. The decision comes after one of the most destructive wildfire seasons on record, with over 300,000 hectares burned. However, critics note that a similar pledge was made in 2022, when the government called it 'urgent and imperative' to renew the fleet, yet not a single new plane has been acquired since. The current fleet, averaging more than 30 years old, faces frequent maintenance breakdowns. The new plan, reportedly worth €200 million, aims to replace or refurbish up to 15 aircraft over the next four years. Affected regions include parts of Galicia, Castile and León, and Catalonia, where thousands of residents have been evacuated and agricultural losses are estimated in the hundreds of millions. The declaration will allow the central government to cover up to 50% of local recovery costs and expedite insurance claims. Ecological restoration and prevention measures, such as controlled burns and firebreak creation, are also expected to be funded. The modernization push is partly driven by EU pressure, as Spain has repeatedly drawn on the European Civil Protection Mechanism for aerial firefighting support. With climate change lengthening the fire season, experts warn that reactive measures alone will not suffice. The government is expected to finalize the decree within two weeks.