The firefighter who wrote the viral letter about the fire sweeping the landscape of his childhood: "We are fighting something we have never seen before"

The Diputación de Cuenca has approved the creation of 50 new firefighter positions in Cañete and Priego, according to a report published by ABC on July 29, 2026. During the regular session of the council held on the morning of that day, several budget modifications were approved unanimously. The most significant change was the amendment to Credit Number 7 in the General Budget for 2026, which was presented as a supplement and extraordinary credit. This modification aims to provide the necessary funding to expand the personnel of the Fire Prevention and Extinguishment Service by adding 36 firefighters, 12 corporals, 2 sergeants, and covering the position of a non-commissioned officer. The goal is to ensure adequate staffing for the newly established fire stations in Cañete and Priego. The decision comes amid a severe wildfire crisis affecting Spain, with firefighters working long hours under challenging conditions. According to reports from elDiario.es, many firefighters are operating in shifts lasting up to 12 hours, often using outdated equipment. These efforts have been part of a continuous battle against wildfires that have scorched over 50,000 hectares in just a few weeks. In this context, Ángel Malanda, a forest ranger and member of the CGT union, shared his experiences through a widely circulated letter. He described the emotional toll of fighting fires in areas close to his childhood home, emphasizing the frustration and anger directed at professionals who risk their lives to protect communities and natural landscapes. Malanda recounted instances where he and his colleagues faced verbal abuse from residents, despite their dedication to extinguishing flames. He explained that such incidents, while not common, highlight the lack of public understanding regarding the nature of their work. Forest rangers often operate in remote locations, away from public view, making their contributions less visible. Malanda urged greater patience and empathy from the public, acknowledging the fear and despair felt by affected families. He emphasized that pauses in firefighting operations are strategic decisions made to ensure safety rather than a lack of commitment. In addition to calling for more training and better resources, Malanda criticized the low wages and poor working conditions faced by forest rangers. With hourly pay around seven euros and additional risk allowances barely reaching two euros per hour, these workers often face grueling schedules. They typically work four days out of six, with shifts extending into the early hours of the morning. The instability of their employment further compounds the challenges they encounter, with only 28% of helicopter-supported rangers holding permanent contracts, 35% having fixed-discontinuous contracts, and the remaining 36% facing potential job loss by October. The situation reflects broader systemic issues within the firefighting sector, particularly in regions like Castilla y León, where the demands of combating increasingly frequent and intense wildfires have exposed vulnerabilities in both infrastructure and workforce management. As the summer progresses, the need for improved support and recognition for these frontline workers becomes ever more urgent. The recent approval of new firefighter positions marks a step forward, yet much remains to be done to address the ongoing crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of those dedicated to protecting life and property.