Sant Julià de Lòria Invests €60K in Feners de Juberri Forest to Curb Fire Risks

Sant Julià de Lòria has allocated €60,000 this year for forest management in the Rabassa area, focusing on 11 hectares of understory near Juberri to lower fire risks.

The work forms part of the parish's updated forest plan and targets a high-traffic zone around Naturland and the village. Teams cleared excess biomass that could fuel blazes, removing younger or weaker red pines and boxwood. They also encouraged the spread of less flammable deciduous trees like oaks, holm oaks, and wild cherries, which slow fire progression and ease extinction efforts.

Lead consul Cerni Cairat, presenting the project to media, described it as a progressive shift in the forest's composition. The actions created a one-kilometre-long, 110-metre-wide buffer strip in a half-horseshoe shape. This shields Juberri below and the 1,600-metre elevation at Naturland above, while protecting nearby urbanizations.

Approved last year, the plan draws from an assessment of local woodlands, pinpointing priority sites adjacent to built-up areas. Cairat noted that centuries of logging kept forests in check, but its decline allowed dense, fire-prone growth, especially red pines. Beyond fire prevention, the measures aim to build healthier woods, boost biodiversity, enhance habitats for native species, and revive pastures for primary sector use.

Cairat stressed the need for comprehensive management, beyond simple understory clearing—a previous gap for the parish council. Last year saw €20,000 invested in regeneration, with plans to sustain the €60,000 level into 2027. The broader initiative covers 152 hectares over time, including sites like Comabella, Montllobar, Francolí, and Canòlich, with selective thinning over five to six years.

Forest engineer Esteve Tor oversees the efforts, which include shredding debris to improve soil and support wildlife. While Andorra's topography often limits fire spread, the Rabassa's gentler slopes and visitor numbers at Naturland heighten the priority. Cairat pointed to drones' proven role in mapping elsewhere, with potential for wider use in Andorra.