MONTE HORQUERA · ENVIRONMENT

Wildfire self-protection

Monte Horquera sits right in the wildland–urban interface, at the foot of Les Rodanes: we live alongside the forest and, in summer, with the risk of fire. Self-protection is what each resident can do to make their home and surroundings safer.

The community's Self-Protection Plan

The community has a Self-Protection Plan against forest fires. It is a document of public interest: you can download it right here. It is also available to residents in the personal area, under Documents.

Portada del Plan de Autoprotección 2026 — Urbanización Monte Horquera

Download the Self-Protection Plan (PDF) →

A living hedge that protects

A well-chosen, well-kept hedge reduces the intensity of fire and protects the home. These are Mediterranean species from our area. Each shows its flammability (following Mediterranean fire ecology): low-flammability species are best for the hedge; medium- or high-flammability ones are useful, but must be kept green, pruned and away from the house.

Infographic: fire-resistant trees and shrubs recommended for a protective hedge — Visual species guide for a protective hedge.

Holm oak

Low flammability

Quercus ilex

Very resistant to fire and drought.
Leathery, evergreen leaves.
Slow-growing, very long-lived.

In a fire: One of the safest: it resprouts after fire and its hard leaves burn with difficulty.

Cork oak

Low flammability

Quercus suber

Very fire-resistant.
Thick protective bark (cork).
Slow-growing, very long-lasting.

In a fire: Its cork protects it from heat; it survives fires that kill other species.

Olive tree

Low flammability

Olea europaea

Very resistant to drought and fire.
Small, low-flammability leaves.
Slow-growing, low maintenance.

In a fire: High water content and low-flammability leaves; resprouts easily.

Mediterranean cypress

Low flammability

Cupressus sempervirens

Low flammability.
Narrow crown, ideal as a windbreak.
Fast, vertical growth.

In a fire: The STAR species as a barrier (see the Andilla case below): its spongy litter holds water and ignites with difficulty.

Aleppo pine

High flammability

Pinus halepensis

Very drought-resistant; recovers quickly.
Keeps a high crown if pruned.
Fast-growing.

In a fire: CAUTION: it is resinous and flammable (a pyrophyte). It recovers very well from seed, but keep it pruned and not against the house.

Japanese pittosporum

Low flammability

Pittosporum tobira

Leathery, low-flammability leaves.
Forms dense, resistant hedges.
Tolerates pruning and different soils.

In a fire: Thick, water-rich leaves; a good low-flammability green hedge.

Strawberry tree

Low flammability

Arbutus unedo

Resistant to fire and drought.
Edible fruit and ornamental flowers.
Low-maintenance shrub or small tree.

In a fire: Leathery leaves and good ability to resprout after fire.

Lavender

Medium flammability

Lavandula spp.

Pleasant aroma and natural repellent.
Resistant to drought and heat.
Low if kept green and thinned.

In a fire: Aromatic: it contains flammable essential oils. Safe if kept green, pruned and free of dry material.

Rosemary

Medium flammability

Salvia rosmarinus

Natural aroma that repels insects.
Very hardy, little watering.
Best kept green and pruned.

In a fire: Aromatic and oily: burns easily if it dries out. Useful, but keep it green and away from the house.

Rockrose

High flammability

Cistus spp.

Native and well adapted to poor, dry soils.
Attractive spring flowering.

In a fire: CAUTION: it is resinous and a pyrophyte (uses fire to germinate). Pretty and native, but NOT a firebreak shield: keep it away from the house and thinned.

Retama broom

Medium flammability

Retama sphaerocarpa

Nitrogen fixer, improves the soil.
Ideal for dry, sunny areas.

In a fire: A pioneer legume; when dry it burns easily. Useful for holding soil, but keep it green, thinned and away from the house.

Species photographs: Wikimedia Commons (free licences).

The Mediterranean cypress, a living barrier against fire

The Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is the MOST fire-resistant cypress, well above others such as the Arizona cypress. The key is its low ignitability: its scales and the litter that falls to the ground are spongy and hold moisture for a long time, making it hard for fire to catch and spread.

The most cited example is right next door: in the Andilla fire (Valencia, July 2012), which burned some 20,000 hectares, an experimental plot of 946 cypresses about 22 years old was left almost intact —only 12 burned— while holm oaks, junipers and pines burned all around. More than 98% of the cypresses survived.

That is why the European CypFire project studied cypress hedges as firebreak barriers in the wildland–urban interface, exactly the kind of setting Monte Horquera is in. A dense, well-kept cypress hedge can slow the intensity of fire and protect homes.

How to create an effective protective hedge

Create a perimeter strip around the home combining LOW-flammability trees and shrubs.
Keep distances: 3-5 m between trees and 1-2 m between shrubs, to break the continuity of fuel.
Prune regularly: remove dead branches, raise and air out the crowns, and keep vegetation away from the house.
Water deeply in summer to keep plants green (and therefore less flammable).
Remove pine needles, litter and pruning debris: they are the easiest fuel to ignite.
Keep the safety perimeter clear of dry vegetation (usually 25-30 m, per the regional regulations).

What to avoid

Highly flammable, large species against the house: eucalyptus, large neglected cypresses or canes (Arundo).
Piling firewood, pine needles, pruning debris or combustible material next to the home.
Dry, neglected hedges: an unmaintained hedge goes from shield to fuse.

Remember: a well-designed living hedge reduces the intensity of fire, protects your home and creates a safer space for you, your family and your surroundings. The best defence is year-round prevention.

Sources and further information

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