The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has agreed this Monday to the suspension of harvesting activities that involve the use of agricultural machinery in the Community of Madrid and in the provinces of Ávila and Toledo while the emergency situation caused by the wildfires remains active.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the decision is made considering that the use of this type of machinery poses a significant risk factor in a context marked by high temperatures and low relative humidity, conditions that favor the spread of fires.
The Government seeks to reduce the risk of new ignitions
The department led by Grande-Marlaska states that harvesters and other agricultural machinery can accidentally cause fires due to causes such as friction, impact between metallic elements, overheating of mechanical components, or other incidents derived from their operation.
For this reason, the Executive has opted to temporarily restrict these activities in the areas most affected by the emergency, with the aim of reducing the risk of new outbreaks.
More than 77,000 hectares affected
The decision comes in a context where the fires affecting the central peninsula have already exceeded 77,000 burned hectares, according to data provided by the Government.
Additionally, the various fires have so far forced the evacuation or confinement of around 91,000 people, while firefighting efforts continue on several active fronts.
The suspension of harvesting activities with agricultural machinery will remain in effect as long as the current period of emergency due to wildfires is maintained.