Formentera takes day out for forest-fire prevention

From 5.00pm to 8.00pm on Thursday, April 26, in the administration's hall of ceremonies, or Sala d'Actes, Formentera's Office of Environment will host a day dedicated to forest-fire prevention.

Formentera is an island with an unusually high ratio of forested land. Approximately 800 local buildings lack buffers protecting them against wildfires. Such buffers are not only considered necessary, they are also a legally-mandated safeguard which can facilitate the work of fire fighters.

Thursday, homeowners and forest-service professionals alike will be given tips on how to reduce the likelihood of a forest fire happening, and what to do in case one occurs.

Heavy rainfall this winter has so far prompted a springtime surge in growth of wooded areas. Rural affairs secretary Bartomeu Escandell described sound management of rural and forested land as “critical to keeping wildfire risk at bay” and encouraged as many islanders as possible to participate.