Portugal wildfires blamed on spread of eucalyptus forests

 

 

 

Environmentalists and activists are blaming the proliferation of eucalyptus plantations for the rapid spread of devastating fires that killed 64 people in central Portugal last month, many of them dying as they tried to escape in their cars.

 

In response Portugal has moved to ban new eucalyptus forests being established in the future, although additional plantation will still be allowed in existing forestry areas.

 

The Portuguese agriculture ministry says the proposed forestry reform prohibits new eucalyptus plantations “except in areas of existing plantations and dependent upon previously approved management plans".

 

The fires that destroyed large tracts of forestry in June were fanned by a heatwave and high winds.

 

Oliver Munnion, Co-director of Biofuelwatch, whose house was threatened by one of the wildfires, says: “It’s time to face up to the reality that Portugal’s vast eucalyptus and pine plantations, and the corruption and profiteering that comes with them, are the main reason that the country burns, every year.

 

“Coupled with the impacts of climate change, bringing hotter temperatures and drought, our area stands little chance. And the summer has only just begun.

 

“Just like wildfires that devastated parts of Chile in January — the worst in their history — the fires in Portugal were the result of a reckless and poorly regulated timber industry that emphasises eucalyptus plantations over human well-being. And now the same thing is being considered in the US I hope they learn the lesson from the tragedies in Portugal and Chile.”

 

That last comment refers to a forestry industry proposal currently being reviewed by the US Department of Agriculture industry to develop extensive plantations of eucalyptus trees across the US South.