From next Monday the limitations on the use of fire will apply throughout the Balearic Islands.
Burning is prohibited in forest land and within 50 metres of it, as well as in all recreational areas.
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The period of high fire danger to 15th April
The Consell de Govern has authorised the Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Medio Natural to bring forward the period of high danger of forest fires in Mallorca and Menorca to the 15th of April. It should be remembered that the Pitiusas have already been in this situation since 1 April. Thus, as of next Monday, the use of fire is prohibited in forest land and within 50 metres of it, as well as in all recreational areas of the Balearic Islands. It will also be necessary to request authorisation to burn on agricultural land within 500 metres of forest land.
The decision to change the start date of the high-risk season (which usually begins on 1 May throughout the archipelago) is taken as a precautionary and preventive measure. The current weather conditions affecting the Balearic Islands this spring, especially the high level of drought due to the lack of rainfall and the lack of rain forecast for the coming weeks, have significantly increased the availability of forest fuel, which means a very high to extreme risk of fire.
Due to this weather situation and the increase in the number of forest fires in recent weeks, the Government has decided to exceptionally reinforce the inter-island forest fire operation (OIIF). Thus, additional brigades will be available for first intervention in the event of forest fires throughout the Balearic Islands, in addition to the heliborne brigade in Mallorca, which has been operating since the end of March. In addition, due to the high risk of forest fires that the Pitiusas Islands present for the time of the year, we are, from next Monday will incorporate a help transport brigade (since April 8 there is already a helicopter) at the base of Sa Coma in Ibiza.
It should be noted that the OIIF is made up of more than 350 people, including forestry technicians, environmental agents, brigadiers, drivers, operators, watchmen, etc., in addition to the rest of the organisations that make up the INFOBAL (Special Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fire Emergencies). For this 2024 campaign, the technical and operational innovations that have been foreseen in the new contract for aerial means for the defence against forest fires will be implemented and new ground surveillance cameras with 360° vision will be installed, among other actions.
This year there have been a total of 25 forest fires in the Balearic Islands, which have burned 16.56 hectares, the vast majority of which have been cleared (9.79 ha). It is worth remembering that the recommendations, applicable regulations and daily regulations on the use of fire can be consulted at alertafoc.caib.es.