So far this year, up to Tuesday July 28, 173,000 hectares have burned — six times more than in the same period last year — and 35 large fires have been reported compared with seven in 2025. Added to that is the growing number of villages, developments, and isolated homes next to forests, which increases the risk. “Unfortunately, neither of those two things is being addressed sufficiently,” warns Professor Montiel. Some environmental organizations fear that this emphasis on management will ultimately lead to the destruction of large wooded areas. All this while keeping in mind that a large number of fires are extinguished in the initial stage (under one hectare).