Boletín Oficial del Territorio Histórico de Álava · 07 Sep 2026 · 2 vistas
Álava prohibits fires in mountains due to extreme fire risk
Por FactBox Admin
The Provincial Council of Álava has activated exceptional prohibitions on fire, traffic, and the use of machinery in the mountains of the Historical Territory and in the 400-meter strip surrounding them, given the prediction of a very high or extreme level of forest fire risk. The measure, adopted through Provincial Order 263/2026, dated September 4, is published in the Official Gazette of the Historical Territory of Álava (BOTHA) number 102, dated September 7, 2026, with official reference 2026-02576.
The risk, according to the meteorological report from EUSKALMET, is forecast for September 4, 5, and 6, 2026, during the daily window between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and wind and dryness conditions that increase ignition and propagation.
Regulatory Framework
The order is issued in development of article 48.6 of Law 43/2003, on Forests, which requires autonomous communities to immediately apply prohibitions when a very high or extreme risk is predictable. The 2026 annual Fire Prevention, Surveillance, and Extinction plan for Álava, approved by Agreement 312/2026 of the Provincial Government Council, did not expressly include these prohibitions; therefore, the resolution applies them directly in accordance with the basic law and Royal Decree 716/2025.
The order takes effect from its approval, with immediate dissemination via the institutional website, official networks, and media, without prejudice to its publication in the BOTHA.
Current Prohibitions
During the declared period, the following are prohibited:
- Lighting fires in all types of open spaces for any purpose (recreational, domestic, agricultural, livestock, forestry, or hunting), including bonfires, barbecues, burners, and outdoor cooking.
- The burning of stubble, permanent pastures, pruning residues, and forestry residues; any previously granted authorizations are suspended.
- Lighting fires in roadside rest areas, recreational areas, and campsites.
- The use of machinery that generates deflagration, sparks, or electrical discharges in mountains and in the 400-meter strip, such as brushcutters, chainsaws, harvesters, welding equipment, or angle grinders.
- The introduction and use of pyrotechnic material, including firecrackers, rockets, and flares.
- Throwing or abandoning combustible objects, such as cigarette butts, matches, embers, or hot ashes.
Corn harvesting is excluded from this prohibition.
Recipients and Compliance
The order is notified to the local entities of Álava, the Roads Service, the Natural Environment Directorate, the Autonomous Body of Provincial Firefighters of Álava, the Vitoria-Gasteiz Fire Department, the Ertzaintza, the Miñones, the Forestry Guard, UAGA, farmers’, livestock breeders’, and forestry associations, hunting reserves, agricultural cooperatives, and the Alavese Mountain Federation, as well as the Government Sub-delegation in Álava. Authority agents are entrusted to ensure its compliance.
The measure fully affects residents, farmers, and visitors of the Alavese rural environment in the middle of the weekend, and may be extended, modified, or lifted early depending on the evolution of the risk.
Source: Official Gazette of the Historical Territory of Álava (BOTHA), no. 102, September 7, 2026, section I – Provincial Council of Álava, pág. 1-4 (official reference: 2026-02576).