Garranos, an autochthonous woodland and tight surveillance: the three pillars to prevent fires at Faia Brava

The Faia Brava private natural reserve, situated in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, in the district of Guarda, implements a fire prevention strategy based on three fundamental pillars. The first pillar is based on the presence of garranos, a breed of horses that roam freely through the reserve and contribute to the management of the territory. The second pillar is based on the maintenance of an autochthonous woodland, which functions as a natural barrier against the spread of fires. The third pillar is based on tight surveillance of the area, guaranteeing constant monitoring of conditions and possible risks. With one thousand hectares in extent, this private natural reserve serves as a model of integrated management for fire prevention in rural areas of Portugal.