The Community of Madrid is monitoring the use of smokers in beekeeping to prevent forest…

The Community of Madrid is monitoring the use of smokers in beekeeping to prevent forest fires, particularly during high-risk periods outlined in the Special Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fire Emergencies (INFOMA). The Madrid Emergency and Security Agency (ASEM112) is responsible for authorizing this activity and ensuring it is conducted safely. The region currently has over 16,600 hives across 626 active beekeeping operations, which rely on smokers to manage hives without disturbing the bees. However, using these devices requires igniting a fire inside, necessitating heightened safety measures during peak fire risk months.