Roberto, Nelson and Eleanor: As wildfires intensify, Spain is relying on an unexpected firefighting team of rescue donkeys to stop deadly forest fires naturally—and Canada is exploring the same solution

At a time when wildfires continue to devastate Spain and Canada, the former has resorted to an unexpected firefighting team and this herd of abandoned animals is saving forests by eating the fuel that feeds deadly blazes.

Rather than depending only on machinery, a small region in Spain has reintroduced donkeys to graze through forests and scrubland to remove dry plants that can fuel fast-moving fires. According to National Geographic, this approach has become an increasingly important part of wildfire prevention in several regions, with rescued donkeys spending much of the year clearing vegetation before it becomes a hazard.

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In Catalonia's countryside, a herd of rescued donkeys is eating dry grass, shrubs and other flammable vegetation and are being used to remove the fuel that allows fires to spread rapidly, creating natural firebreaks across forests.

The initiative is being led by Tivissa Donkeys Firefighters, a Catalan non-profit that rescues abandoned and neglected donkeys while giving them a new purpose in protecting forests.

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How rescued donkeys are helping stop wildfires before they start

The charity rescues donkeys that have been abandoned or mistreated and provides them with veterinary care, and allows them to roam freely in forested areas.

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As they graze, the animals naturally clear dense undergrowth that can quickly ignite during hot, dry weather. This simple but effective process helps slow the spread of wildfires and makes it easier for firefighters to contain blazes.

According to the organization's website: "The forests provide them with food and they thank them by protecting the space from possible fires."

The project combines animal welfare with environmental conservation, offering a sustainable alternative to mechanical land clearing in many areas.

From abandoned animals to a 'donkey brigade'

The initiative was founded in 2020 by Joan Cedó Sans, who began rescuing donkeys after realizing their remarkable ability to clear fire-prone vegetation. Today, the organization cares for more than 60 rescued donkeys, with around half serving as members of the charity's unique "fire brigade."

Each donkey has its own personality.

• Roberto, a former racing donkey, is described as having a "calm and peaceful character."
• Nelson is known for "a great protective but also dominant character."
• Eleanor is still settling in but is expected to become "an excellent firefighter."

Cedó says the project gives the animals a second chance while also protecting nearby communities.

"We're grateful for the animals that we feel deserve a second opportunity," Cedó told CNN. The idea first came after wildfires burned land he owned in 2013. He noticed that donkeys quickly cleared the vegetation.

"They ate everything," he recalled, an observation that eventually inspired the large-scale conservation project.

Why rescue donkeys are so effective at preventing wildfires

According to National Geographic, donkeys are highly effective at wildfire prevention because their simple digestive system allows them to graze continuously on tough, dry shrubs, weeds and woody vegetation that many other animals avoid. This removes the dry fuel that helps fires spread rapidly, creating natural firebreaks. Grassland ecology expert Rosa María Canals Tresserras says donkey grazing reduces the amount of vegetation available to burn, slowing the spread of wildfires.

Spain's wildfire season is already severe

Spain has experienced a difficult wildfire season in 2026. According to the country's Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), nearly 114,796 hectares of forest had burned between the start of the year and July 24.

Southern Europe has endured repeated heatwaves, prolonged drought and extremely dry vegetation, all of which increase wildfire risk.

Spain, the third-most forested country in Europe, has also recorded average July temperatures 5.6 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 average, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.

Canada is also battling one of its worst wildfire seasons

Canada is also facing one of its most challenging wildfire seasons on record. Government data shows there were nearly 800 active wildfires in July, with approximately 3.45 million acres already burned.

The country has also used grazing animals in certain regions to reduce wildfire risk, although modern firefighting still relies heavily on satellite monitoring, drones, aircraft and predictive fire modeling.

Research shows grazing can slow dangerous fires

Scientists say grazing cannot completely prevent wildfires, but it can significantly reduce their intensity.

A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found: "Management of overstory composition and structure, understory vegetation, and grazing can reduce fuel loads and potential wildfire risk."

By lowering the amount of dry vegetation available to burn, fires tend to spread more slowly, making them easier for emergency crews to control.

However, experts stress that grazing works best alongside other wildfire management practices.

Forestry engineer and professor Jose Vicente Oliver told Reuters that grazing should be combined with mechanical thinning, vegetation pruning and controlled burns carried out by trained professionals.