Coordinated and united in a common fight against forest fires. This is the basis of the collaboration agreement signed between the Board of Extremadura and the Board of Communities of Castilla-La Mancha and with which the basis for going hand in the same protocol in the prevention and extinction of forest fires in the forest fires in the forest fires in the border areas of both autonomous communities.
This signed agreement is born from the need for both administrations to be more effective in what is the Joint action zone against forest fires (Zacif) which extends in about five kilometers on both sides of the border between both communities.
«With this agreement, both communities demonstrate their commitment to the protection of the natural environment and the improvement of efficiency in the management of Forestry emergenciess, advancing in a coordinated response that Prioritizes people’s safety and environment conservation«, Explained the Minister of Sustainable Development of Castilla-La Mancha, Mercedes Gómez.
Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha reinforce their commitment and will work together against forest fires
The Board of Extremadura and the Community Board of Castilla-La Mancha have signed on Monday a general action protocol to reinforce the coordinationn in the prevention and extinction of forest fires in the border areas of both autonomous communities. The agreement has been signed in the town of Navalmoral de la Mata by the Minister of Sustainable Development of Castilla-La Mancha, Mercedes Gómez, and the Minister of Forest Management and Rural World of Extremadura, Ignacio Higuero, representing their respective autonomous governments.
This protocol is born from the need to respond effectively to forest fires that can originate or extend in the joint action zone against forest fires (Zacif), defined as a five -kilometer strip on both sides of the border between both communities. In these areas, cooperation between operations “is essential” due to orographic and meteorological characteristics that can favor the spread of fire to both territories, as detailed by the Minister Higuero.
Among the main aspects of the Agreement, the establishment of an immediate collaboration procedure without the need for prior request for help in the Zacif, the creation of a unified extinction command (MA) for the fires that affect both regions, which will guarantee a joint and coordinated decision making.
-Similarly, the use of a set advanced command, common communication systems and the designation of an air media coordinator has been contemplated. In addition, a technical monitoring commission will be created that will evaluate compliance with the protocol, will propose technical improvements and coordinate joint training, prevention and extinction actions.
Both communities They will also share the available resources maps annually“Which will facilitate a quick and efficient response,” Higuero stressed.
In the external field to the Zacif, help requests will be maintained as it has been done to date with narrow and efficient work results.
This protocol will have an initial validity of four years, extendable for similar periods, and represents an example of interherritorial cooperation to the Environmental and Citizen Security Service.
“With this agreement, both communities demonstrate their commitment to the protection of the natural environment and the improvement of efficiency in forest emergency management, advancing in a coordinated response that prioritizes the safety of people and the conservation of the environment,” added Mercedes Gómez.
The firm has taken place in the Rural Training Center of Navalmoral de la Mata and has also had the assistance of the town mayor, Enrique Bueso; the General Director of Fire Prevention and Extinction of Extremadura, José Antonio Bayón; the Deputy Minister of Environment of Castilla-La Mancha, José Almodóvar; and members of Forest Firefighters and agents of the natural environment of both communities. EFE / ECOTICIAS.com
