Eucalyptus blamed for fueling virulent Niebla wildfire in Andalusia

The wildfire that broke out on August 6 near Niebla (Huelva) has burned over 38,000 hectares, and experts point to the region's abundant eucalyptus as a key factor in its extreme behavior. Alejandro García, director of the Operative Operations Center, described the species as a "supercombustible" that combines high-caloric wood with fine bark and leaves saturated with essential oils, making it exceptionally flammable Source: infobae. Known in Australia as the "gasoline tree," eucalyptus accounts for 40% of the burned mass Source: elespanol. When trunks burn, they emit embers that travel in smoke columns, then ignite more intensely upon reaching the ground, creating secondary fires Source: infobae.

The reaction

In response, the Junta de Andalucía announced a plan to progressively eradicate eucalyptus and replace it with native species such as holm oaks and cork oaks. President Juanma Moreno called for a "reflexión en voz alta" to favor trees more typical of the region Source: elespanol. He described the fire as a "terrible bestia" with unprecedented prolonged aggressiveness, while praising the emergency deployment that prevented casualties and house losses Source: elespanol.

What's next

Fire behavior expert Marc Castellnou warned that the fire has created a "persistently modified atmosphere," making extinction "very difficult" and noting a pattern of extreme behavior day and night Source: infobae. Moreno suggested the "beginning of the end" of the fire could come over the weekend if conditions allow, though conditions remain "completely changing" Source: elespanol.