The Calpe City Council has begun the tender process for forest management services in the municipal green areas of Empedrola I and II. This involves carrying out forestry work in two municipal green areas covering an area of 8.2 hectares.
The contract includes several actions: creating a 10-metre-wide perimeter strip next to urbanised areas to improve safety against potential forest fires in the green area that could affect neighbouring homes, creating a 35-metre firebreak supported by an existing road that separates the two green areas, and improving existing forested areas with forest management actions such as selective thinning. These actions will favour dominant trees and thus reduce forest biomass. Mainly, pyrophytic species and those with dry plant material will be primarily removed, and crown tangents will be avoided.
Vegetation remnants will be treated preferably in two different ways: a) Small remnants will be shredded on site and left in the forest. b) Logs will be cut into smaller fragments and stored in the same green area. If necessary, the contractor must plan for the possibility of removing the remains of the plant to an authorised landfill.
The contract price is €59,900, which may be reduced by bidding companies, and the execution period will be 4 months, with an option for an extraordinary extension of 2 months if the works specified in the contract are not completed.
The green areas of Empedrola I and II are extensive municipal areas surrounded by residential zones; the ultimate objective of these actions is to sanitise the existing vegetation and thus prevent fires.