Keep safe from Wild Fires in Mallorca this summer
As temperatures continue to stay high across most of Europe, and with recent tragic events on the mainland, it seems timely to look again at the laws, precautions & common sense ways to keep yourself and the wider environment & community safe from Wild Fires in Mallorca this summer.
It is extremely rare for a fire to start in the countryside or forests without some form of human involvement – whether it is a discarded cigarette butt, smouldering barbecue or even discarded glass magnifying the sun’s rays, approximately 95% of fires are caused by people’s carelessness or almost unbelievably deliberate arson.
Over the past decade Mallorca has experienced an average of over 40 wild fires per year with hundreds of hectares burned.
What are the laws relating to fire safety in the summer months?
- In Mallorca, outdoor fires in nature and public spaces are strictly regulated. Open fires are completely prohibited between May 1 and October 15. Barbecuing in natural parks or authorized recreational areas (áreas recreativas) is only permitted during the cooler months, generally from October 16 through April 30
- Private Balconies and Terraces: There is no national ban on barbecuing on private terraces, but it is heavily governed. Your activity must not create a fire hazard, produce excessive nuisance smoke, or violate the rules of the building’s horizontal property laws (comunidad de propietarios).
- Beaches: Barbecuing and lighting fires directly on the sand is strictly prohibited across all beaches in Mallorca without a special municipal permit
- Private Gardens : In Mallorca, barbecuing in a private garden is legally permitted, provided you don’t create a nuisance, violate community bylaws, or ignite fires during periods of high forest fire risk. Detached villas offer the most freedom, but you must still follow essential safety protocols to avoid fines or formal complaints. Don’t forget you must be 500 metres from forest land!
- When you have finished cooking, always cover the remaining coals with a solid lid or extinguish with plenty of water. High winds are often a feature of the weather in Mallorca and it is these that can cause coals that you thought were safe to re-ignite and blow sparks around.
- Cigarette butts : Throwing a cigarette butt out of a car window in Spain is considered a very serious offense. The fine for this action is €500 along with the loss of 6 points on your driving license.
- Penalties & fines for causing a fire in a restricted area or season are severe and can be up to as much €100,000 or imprisonment
Pollenca's fire fighting sea-planes
are a famous feature in the skies over the bays of Pollenca and Alcudia and can regularly be seen practicing their water collection and delivery runs. These planes and their highly skilled crews are an essential part of the fire-fighting effort on the Island, able to deliver around 6,000 litres of water per run to inaccessible areas. Along with the smaller fire “spotter” planes and a dedicated team of around 350 forest fire-fighters plus the regular local fire crews, these brave teams perform a dangerous and essential job for which we should all be very grateful.
What to do if you discover a fire
If you discover a fire, first of all consider your own and other peoples safety – move away to a safe distance and dial 112 (the emergency hotline) The operators should be multi-lingual – explain as best you can the location of the fire and it’s extent.
It is very unwise to try and tackle a wild fire yourself, so please make it a priority to contact the emergency services and keep safe!
Wild Fires in Mallorca
