A massive tide has crossed the streets of Jaca this Sunday to demand improvements in fire prevention, forest management and policies aimed at the Aragonese rural environment. The mobilization, called by the Movement for the Dignity of the Mountain-Dignified Pyrenees, has served to show support for the indefinite strike of the forest firefighters of Aragón.
The demonstration has been marked by the recent forest fires that have affected different parts of Aragon and, especially, by the fire of Las Peñas de Riglos. Among the participants were residents of towns that had to be evacuated during the fire, as well as people displaced from other parts of the Community. The organizers consider that these episodes have once again put on the table the need to strengthen prevention policies and the resources allocated to the care of the forests.
MORE RESOURCES FOR RURAL AREAS AND FOREST FIREFIGHTERS
Among its main demands, Pirineo Digno demands an increase in the workforce and resources for forest firefighters, as well as better working conditions for these professionals. The organization also defends a management of the territory that relates fire prevention with measures against depopulation, support for extensive livestock farming, the primary sector, access to housing and the maintenance of basic services in the villages. The protest coincides with the indefinite strike started this week by more than 800 Aragonese forest firefighters, whose minimum services for fire care remain at 100%.
The organizers have also claimed political responsibilities for forest and fire management and have called for the resignation of the president of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, and the vice president, Alejandro Nolasco.
The mobilization has also concluded with a remembrance of the people who died during the work related to the fires of recent weeks. From Pyrenees Dignno they insist that their objective is to promote a change in the forest management model and achieve greater participation of the inhabitants of the territory in the decisions that affect the future of the villages.
