José Antonio Bruña, a honey producer in Porto de Sanabria, Spain, reflects on a recent wildfire caused by a lightning strike, which resulted in significant damage over an area exceeding 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres). The fire forced mass evacuations in the region, compounded by multiple devastating blazes throughout the summer that consumed roughly 0.8% of the country’s total land area. The most affected areas were in the northwest, particularly Castilla y León and Galicia.
The wildfires have severely impacted honey production, a key sector in rural northwestern Spain. Bruña, whose 1,500 hives were spared, anticipates a 50% reduction in honey output for this season and potentially the next due to damage to the local flora essential for pollination. He noted that some flowers may take up to three years to regrow. Unlike others who lost their beehives, Bruña cannot claim insurance because his hives remained structurally intact.
The economic impact extends beyond beekeeping. Farmers like Fernando García from Castromil reported significant livestock losses, including 11 cattle that had to be euthanized due to severe burns. García indicated that while he expects some insurance payouts, changes in premium costs could impose further financial strain in subsequent years.
The national farmers’ association, COAG, estimated damages from the wildfires at a minimum of €600 million (approximately $634 million). Discussions are ongoing with regional governments regarding public financial support for recovery. Tourism, crucial to Spain’s economy, has also suffered, particularly in areas where fires necessitated evacuations.
In addition to these economic effects, the fires have amplified the longstanding urban-rural divide in Spain, where rural regions face ongoing challenges related to infrastructure and governance. Local residents express concerns that the recent fires have added to their difficulties in an already strained agricultural landscape.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cge211w5lr5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss