Donkeys used for wildfire prevention

Notes

• Grassroots initiatives in Spain (Tivissa Donkey Firefighters and El Burrito Feliz) are using donkeys for wildfire prevention.
• Mechanism: Donkeys graze on dry grass and scrubland, reducing flammable vegetation in high-risk areas.
• Advantages: Donkeys have a high appetite and sturdiness; their weight helps break the layer of dry foliage that facilitates fire spread.
• Operational benefits: Trails created by donkeys provide access paths for firefighting teams during emergencies.
• Complementary role: Grazing does not replace traditional methods like machinery, firebreaks, or manual clearing but serves as a cost-effective supplement.
• Rehabilitation: Tivissa Donkey Firefighters rescues abandoned donkeys, requiring 2 to 18 months for physical and psychological rehabilitation.
• Administrative challenges: Bureaucratic hurdles, including animal identification requirements and movement paperwork, hinder the scaling of such projects.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 2 in Use of donkeys for wildfire prevention, which has been running since 2 August 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

• Use of donkeys for wildfire prevention Before
• The whole story 2 entries