The government has pledged to convene the first session of the Congress of Deputies next September and to advance a foundational Code for Forest Firefighters aimed at improving working conditions for these frontline workers, according to union sources cited by Efe.
That commitment emerged from a meeting held this Thursday between Hugo Morán, the Secretary of State for the Environment, and leaders from the Center for Independent Trade Unions and Civil Servants (CSIF), the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), and the General Union of Workers (UGT). The discussion took place at the headquarters of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Challenge of Demographic Change (Miteco), amid a period of intensified wildfire activity across the country.
Unions said the government will also, during the sectoral conference with the autonomous communities planned for the end of July, exchange positions with regional authorities to incorporate their input into the statute’s development. This collaborative effort is aimed at aligning national policy with regional needs and ensuring the statute reflects on-the-ground realities in different parts of the country.
CSIF, CCOO, and UGT described the move as an emergency route, noting that the statute has been a legislative commitment that should have been enacted long ago. The unions emphasized that a clear, enforceable framework is essential to protect firefighters as they face growing pressures from climate-driven fire seasons and expanding forest areas.
During the talks, the union delegation also pressed for other practical measures. They urged an increase in the number of firefighting personnel and better coordination among central, regional, and municipal authorities. Enhanced training, improved equipment, and more robust support for fire suppression operations were highlighted as critical components of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard both forest ecosystems and communities.
So far this year, vast tracts of woodland have fallen to fires during a period of unusually high temperatures. Satellite imagery from the European Fire Information for Resource Management System (EFFIS) indicates that nearly 200,000 hectares have burned across the two heat waves observed to date, underscoring the urgency of strengthening the firefighting apparatus and the statutory framework governing it. The government’s response, as outlined in the meetings with the unions, signals a renewed commitment to invest in prevention, rapid response, and long-term forest resilience across the country.