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Spain's shrinking flocks: the lost wildfire prevention resource

Published July 28, 2026 at 7:32 AM UTC

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Spain is losing its grazing livestock at an alarming rate, weakening a natural defense against wildfires. Each day, the country loses 520 sheep and 82 goats, according to data from EFE. This decline reduces the ability of livestock to clear undergrowth, a critical fire prevention measure. Spain has a long tradition of transhumance, but economic pressures and rural depopulation have led to fewer shepherds. The loss amounts to nearly 190,000 sheep and 30,000 goats per year. Affected groups include farmers, rural communities, firefighters, and ecosystems. Without intervention, wildfire risk may increase, and the government may need to fund alternative vegetation management.