Algarve to fight fire with foliage
Portugal and the Algarve especially always braces itself for another devastating round of forest fires and regardless of how much is spent on prevention, it never really seems to make a real difference.
A new approach is needed to deal with this problem and exactly such a forward-thinking project is ongoing in the Algarve.
The Cypfire Initiative is a transnational project financed by EU funds and it revolves around the idea of using low-flammability, disease-free cypress trees as natural firebreaks.
There are still questions surrounding the varieties of cypress that best resist flames, as well as the ideal distance for planting them out in barrier strips across forestland but this biological approach is just the thing for engineer agronomist Gerhard Zabel who has been working on developing green initiatives.
The idea works by actually creating barriers of trees which will make it harder for flames to catch. For instance, pine trees are highly flammable, they can actually combust from the waves of heat coming off a forest fire, thus accelerating a fire.
Cypress trees on the other hand are the opposite, having a high burning point. The branches may burn but the tree itself can withstand very high temperatures, thus acting as natural firebreaks.
At the present time, Zabel’s 36-hectare property in Silves planted out with different varieties of cypress, meant to produce seeds which will then be used in the project’s official forest garden to produce certified healthy young trees that will be available to the public.
This is his very direct contribution to creating a greener Algarve, but he also works along other avenues, for instance running a rural tourism business complete with botanical and exotic gardens; he has areas given over to bio-agriculture and a centre for environmental education.
