The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment has declared Fire Alert 4 (the maximum) for Menorca today. This situation is expected to be repeated tomorrow, when Fire Alert 3 will remain active in half of Mallorca. In the rest of the archipelago, Fire Alert 2 has been established.

In view of the high fire risk, in all areas where Alert 4 has been decreed, fires are prohibited in open spaces and all authorisations for the burning of stubble, permanent pasture, pruning and silvicultural waste are suspended. Fires may not be lit in rest areas on the road network, nor in recreational and camping areas. The limitations extend to the use of pyrotechnic material, machinery and equipment that could cause deflagrations. Likewise, it is strictly forbidden to throw or abandon burning objects.

So far this year, 64 forest fires have been recorded in the Balearic Islands, which have burnt 18.57 hectares – 12.67 hectares of woodland. Most have been recorded in Mallorca (66%) and Ibiza (27%), while in Menorca (5%) and Ibiza (3%) the figures are significantly lower.

Since last week the Government has been calling on the public to “exercise extreme caution” and avoid activities and behaviour that could trigger a forest fire.