Ecofire: the Spanish invention that could change how we fight wildfires
After one of Spain’s harshest fire seasons in decades, a new natural product promises to block flames and protect landscapes for weeks
This summer, Spain was once again hit hard by wildfires. This year alone, nearly 400,000 hectares are estimated to have been destroyed, leaving behind a trail of environmental and economic damage. Last summer was particularly severe in regions such as Ourense, Zamora and León, where heatwaves, drought and climate change combined to create the perfect conditions for devastating blazes.As the fire season came to an end in early September, experts described it as one of the worst in recent decades, both for the land itself and for the people tasked with protecting it. Communities, firefighters and local authorities have all been left dealing with the long-lasting consequences.
A Spanish breakthrough
In this context, a Spanish-made invention could mark a turning point in the way the country tackles wildfires. Called Ecofire, the liquid is made entirely from natural, even edible, ingredients. Its creator, César Sallén, says it is not only 100 times more effective than water but also blocks flames completely.
Unlike traditional chemical retardants, Ecofire is biodegradable, non-toxic and safe for use in forests, towns and even industrial areas. Anything it touches cannot burn until it is washed away by more than 8 to 10 litres of rainfall per square metre.
Demonstrated live on TV
Sallén recently showed how Ecofire works during an appearance on the Spanish television programme El Hormiguero. In front of a live audience, he exposed two pine branches to a blowtorch reaching 1,200 degrees, hotter than a typical forest fire. The untreated branch was destroyed in seconds, while the one coated with Ecofire did not ignite at all.
“We’re not talking about a flame retardant, but a flame blocker,” Sallén explained.
How Ecofire can be used
Ecofire has two main applications:
- Direct extinguishing: sprayed onto flames, it cools and extinguishes fires in seconds
- Preventive firebreaks: applied to vegetation or strategic areas, it creates a protective barrier that can last for weeks
Fire brigades who tested the product said they see it as a crucial tool for their safety, since Ecofire barriers allow them to control the spread of fire without needing to get too close to dangerous flames.
Ecofire’s versatility also opens possibilities outside the forest. It could be used in garages and buildings, in the chemical and energy industries, or even on ships, trains and planes as part of their fire safety systems.
A hopeful future
For a country so often scarred by summer wildfires, Ecofire offers a rare piece of good news. If scaled up, the Spanish invention could become an international benchmark in firefighting. At a time when climate change continues to fuel longer and more destructive fire seasons, a natural, sustainable solution like this could make all the difference.
Image: Pixabay/Pexels
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