Protected Natura 2000 zones burn half as much, WWF finds

A WWF Portugal report finds that Special Areas of Conservation within the Natura 2000 network burned proportionally about half as much as the rest of mainland Portugal between 2021 and 2025: 2.9% of their area versus 6.1% elsewhere. The finding challenges recent public debate suggesting protected areas burn more. WWF notes a quarter of the period's burnt area still fell within these zones, and warns that shrubland and scrub, though ecologically important, remain neglected in land management despite accounting for most burnt area. The organisation calls for combining fire prevention with nature conservation policy.