Legarda, the town that burned down in 2022: this is how they now protect themselves from fire with cows, sprinklers, and drills

In June 2022, the residents of Legarda (Navarra) experienced the same nightmare that those in Los Gallardos (Almería) are living today. Extreme heat, low humidity, strong winds, a flame that seemed isolated, and hell. Although there were no fatalities, the forest fire burned 95% of the municipal area. Three buildings were completely destroyed. The parish church suffered significant fire damage. And all agricultural plots lost their crops. “In a matter of minutes, we saw how the fire reached the town,” recalls Silvestre Belzunegui, the town’s mayor.

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Four years later, the fear that the fire will turn everything black again remains alive. Extreme heat, a key factor, has gone from exceptional to usual. But its inhabitants are better prepared. To fight the flames, in case they reappear. And, above all, to prevent them.

At neighborhood meetings held weeks after the disaster, the 146 inhabitants insisted on the same idea: the fire had changed the perception of risk. “We never thought the fire could enter the urban area,” admitted a resident at the first assembly. “Now we know we have to be prepared, prevention is as important as extinction,” reflected another resident.

Neighbors, farmers, and political authorities joined forces to adapt to this new reality. The result? A pioneering action plan to prevent new fires and prepare the municipality to face the impacts of climate change. “The catastrophic event of 2022 highlighted the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the urgent need for a comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategy to protect the natural environment and the community,” explain the City Council.

The Adapt plan integrates three types of solutions: ecological, economic, and social. “It constitutes a risk management model that combines infrastructure, citizen participation, land management, and new technologies with the aim of increasing the municipality’s resilience to future fires,” summarizes Antonio Lucio Gil, president of Fundación Conama, an organization that has awarded Legarda for its initiative.

The town now has a Civil Protection Board that, over these years, has marked the location of all outdoor water intakes for firefighter use. Also the irrigation outlets. In addition, a sign with a map showing evacuation routes and meeting points in case of fires has been installed.

To protect the urban area, a sprinkler system has been installed around the town’s perimeter. These cannons, 1.80 meters high, create a wet barrier that reduces the risk of fire spread, “providing a visible and effective defense.”

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The “firefighting cows” also prevent flames. The project has introduced an innovative extensive livestock model through the Scottish Galloway cattle breed. The animals have smart collars with GPS technology to manage grazing precisely, creating natural firebreaks by reducing the accumulation of dry plant material. The cows drink from a water pond created in these years, which has become a “climate refuge” for citizens on the hottest days.

In parallel, a reforestation plan with native species has been initiated, facilitating the recovery of the natural environment affected by the fire. On a social and citizen level, since 2023, two annual theoretical-practical sessions on fire prevention are held, including talks with experts, fire drills, and community activities. “The goal is to strengthen bonds among people and reinforce the culture of prevention in the town,” explains the mayor.

In its latest report, the City Council highlights the “significant impact on resilience and safety” that this adaptation plan is having. “It has considerably improved the community’s response capacity to possible future fires,” it reads in the .

In terms of environmental sustainability, it adds, the project has managed to restore the natural environment affected by the fire, with the reforestation of devastated areas. “Socially, community training and annual drills have raised awareness and preparedness of residents for emergencies. The active participation of the community in implementing measures and training has strengthened the social fabric, promoting a culture of cooperation and self-protection.”

Regarding innovation, the project has introduced “novel methodologies in the rural field.” So far, no other municipality in Spain has installed the automatic sprinkler system that operates in Legarda. “It remains a replicable model that can inspire other communities to adapt to the challenges of climate change,” clarify residents and authorities.

For the president of Fundación Conama, this action plan should serve as inspiration for other municipalities. “The project has not only managed to increase Legarda’s resilience but has established a “solid foundation” for future sustainable and replicable projects that contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change from a local perspective.

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