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Meet the donkeys saving Spain's forests
In the worst wildfire season of the summer, these grazing heroes are proving an unlikely but vital defence
As Spain faces its most devastating wildfire season, with more than 25,000 hectares burned in August alone and thousands forced from their homes, an unusual yet effective firefighting team is quietly making a difference. In regions including Ourense, León, Zamora, Cáceres, Tarifa in Andalucía, and Tres Cantos near Madrid, donkeys are being used as a sustainable, natural weapon against the relentless spread of flames.Lara Gutiérrez, founding president of the Burru association, recalls how donkeys historically cleared village roads by grazing on weeds and brush. Today, that age-old task is evolving. Luis Manuel Bejarano, who leads the Doñana National Park’s specialized battalion of 18 firefighter donkeys, explains that simply releasing animals into forests is not enough. Their work must be carefully organised. The donkeys are guided into mobile fenced firebreaks, sections approximately 30 to 40 metres long and 15 metres wide, where they clear undergrowth, creating vital barriers to fire spread.
The results speak for themselves. In the areas where these donkeys work, there has never been a recorded fire. This includes the protected Hinojos area of Doñana, famed for its lynx population and crucial biodiversity. The Military Emergency Unit (UME) has even endorsed the initiative, sponsoring a donkey named UME who sports an official firefighter’s helmet as a symbol of their valued role.
Donkeys offer advantages over other grazing animals too. Their ability to traverse rough terrain without injury, longer endurance without water, and lighter environmental footprint due to less soil compaction set them apart. Laura Pérez, president of the Tea Shelter, adds that donkeys tend to be calmer and more resilient than goats or larger livestock. Their selective eating habits: branches, nettles, brambles, and a range of shrubs, make them uniquely suited to clearing fire-prone vegetation while requiring attentive supervision to prevent overgrazing.Bejarano emphasises that humans and machinery remain essential partners. “Donkeys don’t replace tractors or machines; they complement these where they can’t enter,” he says, noting that caretakers ensure the donkeys have fresh water and move between firebreaks systematically.
This growing recognition of nature-based firefighting solutions ties into broader efforts across Spain. Earlier this year, goats were successfully deployed in Tenerife to clear undergrowth in high-risk zones, highlighting traditional livestock’s role in modern wildfire prevention.
With Spain enduring what is shaping up to be a record-breaking fire season, these four-legged firefighters offer a quiet but powerful boost to communities protecting their homes and natural heritage.
In the face of mounting wildfire challenges, donkeys stand not just as curious symbols but as dependable allies whose history of service is now more vital than ever.
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Images: Unidad de Bomberos de Doñana
