The Balearic Government activates an extraordinary operation with 161 forest firefighters –49 more than usual– to prevent fires during the total solar eclipse on August 12, coinciding with the peak influx of visitors in the high-risk season.
The total solar eclipse on August 12 has led the Balearic Government to prepare an unprecedented fire prevention operation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment will mobilise 161 forest firefighters from IBANAT, 49 of them as extraordinary reinforcements, to cover the most sensitive areas of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
Reinforcement in strategic points of Mallorca
In Mallorca, the operation will focus on municipalities such as Andratx, Esporles, Valldemossa and the sa Batalla pass, areas with a high expected influx and elevated fire risk. The island will have 93 forest firefighters, the largest deployment in the archipelago.
Menorca will have 23 personnel, Ibiza 39 and Formentera six. Additionally, 35 Environmental agents will be deployed for surveillance, public information and early detection of any incidents.
Councillor Joan Simonet has urged everyone to enjoy the phenomenon with "the utmost caution and responsibility" and has emphasised that prevention will be especially important on a day when any fire would have limited aerial response.
The eclipse, a nocturnal challenge for aerial resources
The main difficulty of the operation lies in the fact that the eclipse will occur during sunset and night, when aerial resources would not be able to intervene in the event of a fire. This necessitates reinforcing ground surveillance and rapid response capability from the ground.
The Government has indicated that the forecast of a high concentration of people and boats, during a period of high forest fire risk, makes this exceptional operation necessary. The personnel will be distributed in strategic points to ensure optimal coverage.
Coastal surveillance to protect posidonia
The Posidonia Surveillance Service will also activate a special operation due to the expected high presence of boats during the afternoon and night of the eclipse. Surveillance will be reinforced in areas such as Ciutadella, Sóller, Andratx, the Colònia de Sant Jordi and the west coast of Ibiza.
Boat captains will be informed about the need to anchor respectfully to avoid damage to the posidonia meadows, a key marine ecosystem in the Balearics. The aim is to reconcile the enjoyment of the astronomical phenomenon with environmental protection.
For residents of Mallorca, the recommendation is clear: if they travel to natural areas to observe the eclipse, they must take extreme precautions, not make fires and follow the instructions of Environmental agents. The operation will be active from early afternoon on August 12 until midnight.
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