Galicia uses native cattle to reduce wildfire risks

The regional government of Galicia is using native cattle breeds to graze forest land and reduce vegetation that fuels wildfires [1, 2].

This strategy aims to protect rural landscapes during the summer heat by creating a "clean forest" that is less susceptible to rapid fire spread. By integrating livestock management with environmental protection, the region seeks to stabilize rural populations while lowering the risk of catastrophic blazes.

The Xunta de Galicia approved the formal prevention and fight plan for forest fires on June 9, 2026 ^[1]. This initiative focuses on areas such as Vincios and Gondomár in the province of Pontevedra ^[1]. The plan leverages the natural grazing habits of native Galician cattle to remove combustible undergrowth, a method that provides a sustainable alternative to mechanical clearing.

Local farmers are central to the implementation of this program. By utilizing native breeds, the government supports rural development and the preservation of local genetic livestock resources [2, 3]. This approach transforms livestock from a purely commercial asset into a tool for public safety and land management.

Maintaining a "monte limpio," or clean forest, is viewed as a primary defense against the increasing threat of summer wildfires [1, 2]. The removal of excess vegetation reduces the fuel load available to ignite, which can prevent smaller fires from escalating into uncontrollable disasters ^[3].

The effort is part of a broader strategy to ensure that rural villages remain inhabited and active ^[3]. The regional government said that living villages and active farming are the most effective ways to maintain the landscape and prevent the abandonment of land, which often leads to overgrown, high-risk forests ^[3].