This study demonstrates that a lightweight combined harvester/forwarder machine outperforms manual methods in reducing wildfire risk in Mediterranean pine forests by efficiently thinning low-to-medium density stands at lower costs and with minimal tree damage, though high-density forests require innovative solutions to balance economic and ecological challenges.
Wildfires are scorching our planet at an alarming rate, especially in the sun-baked Mediterranean region. But what if we could fight fire with… engineering? A groundbreaking study reveals how a nimble light harvester/forwarder machine outperforms traditional manual methods in reducing wildfire risks—while slashing costs and sparing trees. Let’s dive into the flames (and solutions)!
The Mediterranean basin is a tinderbox. Dense pine forests, like those dominated by Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine), are regenerating post-wildfire with thick undergrowth and ladder fuels —vegetation that lets flames climb from the ground to treetops. Add climate change to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for catastrophic crown fires 🔥.
Traditional wildfire prevention relies on manual labor: chainsaws, tractors, and sweat. But these methods are slow, expensive, and often leave behind flammable debris. Enter the Malwa 560C Combi, a Swiss Army knife of forest machinery that harvests and transports biomass. Could this machine be the hero Mediterranean forests need?
Researchers tested the Malwa 560C in three plots of post-fire Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia, Spain, each with different tree densities:
Here’s the kicker: public subsidies are the lifeline for wildfire prevention. In Catalonia, subsidies range from €2,000–€3,000/ha. The Malwa 560C shines in low-to-medium density plots, where its efficiency keeps costs below subsidy thresholds. But in ultra-dense forests (Plot 3), even the machine struggles—forwarding costs exceed biomass revenue, leaving a financial gap.
The Malwa 560C isn’t just about speed—it’s gentler on forests. Compared to manual methods:
This study lights the way for smarter wildfire prevention, but challenges remain:
The Malwa 560C proves that light machinery can revolutionize wildfire prevention —but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. For Mediterranean forests, the path forward combines tech, policy, and ecology. As climate change intensifies, investing in smart engineering isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
Let’s turn the tide on wildfires—one machine, one hectare, one policy at a time. 🔥→🛠️→🌱
🌲 Preventive Silviculture - Forest management practices (like thinning) to reduce wildfire risk by removing flammable vegetation.
🔥 Fuel Load - The amount of flammable material (dead wood, leaves, shrubs) in a forest that could feed a wildfire.
🚜 Light Machinery - Small, agile forest machines (e.g., the Malwa 560C) designed for tight spaces and delicate operations.
🔧 Combined Harvester/Forwarder - A machine that switches between cutting trees (harvesting) and hauling logs (forwarding) in minutes.
🌳 Thinning - Selective extraction of trees to decrease stand density, lessen fire probability, and bolster forest vigor. - More about this concept in the article "🌳 Timing is Everything: Early Thinning to Beat Chestnut Heart Rot 🍄".
💰 Biomass Valorization - Turning harvested wood into valuable products (e.g., bioenergy) to offset costs.
⏱️ Productivity (m³/PMH) - The machine's wood processing capacity per hour (PMH = productive machine hour).
📊 Economic Balance - Total operation cost minus revenue from selling harvested biomass. Negative = losing money.
🤑 Subsidies - Government funds to support unprofitable but necessary work (e.g., wildfire prevention).
📏 DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) - Tree trunk width measured 1.3m above ground—key for assessing tree size and value.
🔪 Slash - Debris (branches, tops) left after logging, often compacted to reduce fire risk.
🛣️ Forwarding - Transporting logs from forest to roadside using specialized machines.
🌿 Understory - Plants/shrubs growing beneath forest canopy—can fuel wildfires if too dense.
🚚 Harwarder - A hybrid machine that harvests and forwards wood in one pass (common in dense forests).
🌍 CTL (Cut-to-Length) Harvesting - System where trees are cut, delimbed, and cut to size in the forest (vs. whole-tree hauling).
Source: Rogai, M.; Alcoverro, G.; Picchi, G. Potential of a Light Combined Harvester/Forwarder to Reduce Wildfire Risk in Mediterranean Forests: Comparison with Current Work System. Forests 2025, 16, 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040652
From: Institute of Bioeconomy of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IBE); Universitat de Lleida; Forest Bioengineering Solutions (FBS); Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC).
