Fire prevention and energy self-sufficiency via circular forest management in Spain

Fire risk reduction and biomass energy self-sufficiency at Monte Holiday Ecoturismo, a mountain ecotourism resort in the Sierra de Madrid, Spain. The initiative, led by a forest engineer, combines forest thinning in high-risk areas with a 500 kW biomass boiler that uses low-grade forest residues—previously waste—instead of purchased woodchips. This circular system reduces fire fuel loads, supports district heating, improves soil health, and lowers long-term energy costs. The project enhances forest resilience, reduces insurance risk, and enables access to subsidies. It is replicable in similar forested communities through integrated fire risk planning, local biomass use, and collaboration with local authorities. Two neighbouring landowners have already joined. Future steps include expanding to steeper terrain and reintroducing grazing to manage undergrowth. A YouTube video and detailed reports are available on the InterCAMBIOM webpage.