Volunteers Clear 2,000m² of Flammable Scrub Near Sorteny Refuge in Andorra
A collaborative team manually cleared highly flammable vegetation to lower fire hazards in Andorra's Sorteny Valley Natural Park. The effort supports biodiversity and kicks off seasonal prevention measures amid expected hot, dry weather.
Key Points
- 35 participants, including 18 Civil Protection volunteers and 10 Ordino workers, removed broom scrub on sun-exposed slope.
- Work reduces fire risk, enhances refuge safety, improves pastures, and conserves sudorn meadows.
- Event launches annual forest fire prevention campaign with 'El foc no és un joc' awareness drive.
- Risk bulletin imposes bans on fires and access from level 2; patrols increase at level 3.
Around 35 participants, including 18 Civil Protection volunteers, 10 Ordino council workers such as environmental agents and forest wardens, and director Cristian Pons, cleared roughly 2,000 square metres of highly flammable broom scrub this morning on a sun-exposed slope near the Borda de Sorteny refuge in the Natural Park of Sorteny Valley.
The manual work reduced forest fuel loads, boosted safety around the refuge, improved pastures for local grazing herds, and aided conservation of valuable ecosystems like sudorn meadows, which support biodiversity and maintain open mountain landscapes. Organizers described a positive atmosphere of collaboration, with participants sharing expertise to strengthen prevention efforts. Officials noted the initiative's success and are exploring ways to repeat it next year.
The event, held Saturday, launched Andorra's annual forest fire prevention campaign, coordinated by Civil Protection and Emergency Management alongside the Fire Prevention, Extinction and Rescue department. Technical teams from involved agencies met last week to review operational procedures and coordination protocols for the season.
Public awareness efforts continue under the slogan "El foc no és un joc" ("Fire is not a game"). This year's campaign evolves from a two-year-old AI simulation by focusing on the Sorteny refuge area, illustrating the full fire progression: pre-fire terrain, advancing flames, and post-fire desolation. The goal remains promoting responsible actions and community vigilance.
The Forest Fire Risk Bulletin (BPIF) rates daily risks from level 0 (low/moderate) to 3 (extreme), based on weather data and other indicators. It appears at 4pm on www.incendis.ad for levels 1 and above. From level 2 (very high), officials suspend fire lighting, rocket launches, campfires, and barbecues at designated picnic sites. At level 3 (extreme), forest wardens, police, and traffic services increase patrols, limit forest access, and enact additional restrictions.
Authorities urge checking picnic area conditions before visits and using fire cautiously, with forecasts pointing to above-average summer heat and dry spells.
Related Articles
Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- Altaveu•
Coordinació entre Govern i el comú d'Ordino per netejar 2.000 metres quadrats de bosc a Sorteny
- Diari d'Andorra•
Sorteny acull una jornada de prevenció d’incendis forestals
- Bon Dia•
Arrenca la campanya de prevenció d’incendis
- Altaveu•
En marxa la campanya de prevenció d'incendis: el foc no és un joc
- Diari d'Andorra•
Una trentena d’efectius participaran en una jornada de prevenció d’incendis a Sorteny
- El Periòdic•
Sorteny acull una jornada de prevenció d’incendis forestals coincidint amb l’inici de la campanya d’estiu