The actions, carried out by the Directorate General of Natural Environment and Forest Management, consist of the selective elimination of part of the forest fuel, especially the most flammable species, with the aim of reducing the risk of fire.
The use of technical fire allows fire-fighting personnel to apply broadening burns or backfires, thus facilitating a more efficient and safer response.
The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, through the Directorate General for the Natural Environment and Forest Management, has today begun work to prevent forest fires and control invasive plant species through the use of technical fire (controlled burns). These actions consist of the selective elimination of part of the forest fuel, especially the most flammable species, with the aim of reducing the risk of fire. Likewise, maintenance actions are carried out in the security strips and strategic points of priority management.
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The Government begins work to prevent forest fires and control invasive species using controlled burns
The councillor Joan Simonet pointed out that ‘these actions form part of the strategic planning for forest fire prevention, which is carried out throughout the year, although during this season and autumn they are carried out using this management technique’. Thus, according to this year’s planning, some 38 hectares of prevention are scheduled to be burned on the island of Mallorca (in several areas of the Serra de Tramuntana and s’Albufera), some 3.7 hectares on Ibiza and 3.7 hectares more on the island of Menorca. All burns must have a technical burning document, which establishes the objectives, environmental and execution considerations to be able to carry them out.
The use of prescribed or technical fire allows extinguishing personnel to apply broadening burns or backfires during a forest fire, thus facilitating a more efficient and safer response. These manoeuvres are particularly useful for slowing the advance of the fire and protecting vulnerable areas. The work will be carried out over the next few weeks, before the start of the high wildfire danger period, which begins on 1 May. From this date onwards, fires are not allowed on forest land in the Balearic Islands, by the regulations, as a preventive measure to avoid fires.
In addition, explained Anna Torres, ‘technical fire is an effective tool for combating some invasive plant species, such as Pennisetum sp., which has serious environmental impacts. Using controlled burning, the specimens are eliminated before they can spread their seeds and expand into new territories.
For his part, the manager of the Balearic Institute of Nature (IBANAT), Tomeu Llabrés, stressed that ‘the use of technical fire is a very effective tool, not only for landscape management and reducing the risk of forest fires, but also for the control of invasive species. In addition, these interventions serve as an opportunity for practical training and the specialisation of our forest brigades with this technique’.
Llabrés also stressed the importance of continuous training: ‘It is essential that the personnel of the Operativo Interinsular de Incendios Forestales (OIIF) have the necessary experience to apply this technique safely and effectively. This not only increases their response capacity during emergencies, but also improves safety and efficiency in forest firefighting operations’.
The Government is appealing to the public to exercise extreme caution with any activity that could pose a risk of forest fire. Public cooperation is key to protecting the forests and preserving the natural heritage of the Balearic Islands.