The fire, classified as having potential severity 1, forced the evacuation of a home and mobilised 35 forest firefighters, three aerial units, and two fire engines.
Extinction teams managed to control the wildfire declared this Saturday at Puig de Son Muntaner, in the municipality of Palma, in just over an hour. The alert was received at 16:53, and the fire, which started in a rubbish pile a kilometre from the roundabout of the Jaime II military base, ascended a slope towards vegetated areas.
The absence of wind was key in preventing the flames from getting out of control. Sources from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment explained that, had the wind been blowing, the fire could have rapidly grown and affected nearby homes in Génova and Son Rapinya, neighbourhoods located near the source.
The fire has been classified as potential severity 1 due to the proximity of homes and roads. As a precautionary measure, the Local Police evacuated a home from the perimeter, which has since been able to return to their residence, as confirmed by emergency services.
The extinction efforts involved three aerial units, two fire engines, and 35 forest firefighters from the Ministry, alongside Palma Firefighters and support from aircraft from the Balearic Institute of Nature (Ibanat).
The origin of the fire points to the accumulation of rubbish in the area, a black spot that residents have been reporting for some time due to the risk it poses on windy days. Authorities have reminded the importance of keeping forest surroundings clean and being extra cautious in the presence of any smoke column.
The fire has been controlled without any reported personal or material damage beyond the affected vegetation. The Ministry maintains a surveillance operation in the area to prevent flare-ups in the coming hours.
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