Andorra la Vella Cònsol Proposes Parish Pact for Unified Forest Fire Prevention

Sergi González, the cònsol major of Andorra la Vella, plans to propose a pact among the country's seven parishes at the next meeting of cònsols to coordinate forest management and enhance fire prevention efforts.

The initiative, framed as a "pact of the seven parishes for one forest," would establish a shared roadmap and a working group involving technicians, parish representatives, firefighters, and other stakeholders. González stressed the need to treat Andorra's forests as a single entity, transcending administrative boundaries between parishes. "The forest must be viewed globally," he said, noting that while each parish already develops its own improvement plans, joint planning is essential for effective investments and long-term prevention—particularly after a summer marked by wildfires.

The announcement came during González's visit to the ongoing construction of the Solobre forest track, a key project led by Andorra la Vella to improve woodland access and maintenance. Divided into two phases, the 1.3-kilometre track will enable firefighter truck access and serve as a firebreak.

The first phase, spanning 340 metres at a cost of €347,000, is due to finish in about two months. The second phase, budgeted at €700,000, is slated for adjudication on 17 September. If timelines hold, the full track will be operational by next summer.

Beyond firefighting, González highlighted how such tracks cut costs for routine forest cleaning and upkeep by boosting accessibility. He argued that no single parish's efforts suffice without a unified strategy across all seven. Authorities have not yet detailed the proposed pact's full "decàleg" of commitments.