The Girona Provincial Council and the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation join forces to reduce the risk of major forest fires in the Gavarres Massif

The Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, the Girona Provincial Council and the Gavarres Consortium have joined forces to reduce the risk of large-scale forest fires in the Gavarres Massif, working together on a plan to improve the resilience of the area’s woodlands. In the context of climate change, forest decline in the region – worsened by drought and heat waves – is weakening trees such as the maritime pine, making them more vulnerable to pests and fire. To address this situation, €200,000 will be invested – shared between the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation and the Girona Provincial Council – in prevention and conservation efforts.

The main actions will include thinning and clearing across 30 hectares of the massif to reduce vegetation fuel and prevent high-intensity fires. These actions will take place on both public and private land, under the coordination of the Gavarres Consortium, which will prioritise areas and manage the necessary permits with landowners. Part of the investment will also go towards constructing two water tanks and restoring stone paving – key infrastructure to support the work of fire-fighting teams.

The Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation applies a sustainable management model at Can Puig de Fitor, its estate in Gavarres, where it promotes a circular and social bioeconomy, while also carrying out thinning operations in maritime pine stands and selective harvesting in cork oak woodland to help the forest adapt to climate change. In addition, it has introduced extensive livestock farming with Albera cattle to support landscape maintenance.

This first year of collaboration has already involved an investment of €30,000 in strategic actions at Coll de la Ganga, with an additional €70,000 earmarked for actions in the Montnegre – Els Àngels area. These efforts aim to prevent a fire from spreading across the massif from east to west, as occurred in 1983.

This inter-institutional collaboration reflects a shared commitment to protecting the natural environment of Gavarres and mitigating the risk of forest fires.