The residents of the Costa del Pins vacation resort on Mallorca experienced a major scare on Wednesday when a forest fire broke out in the immediate vicinity of their homes. Thanks to rapid intervention, the fire was brought under control by late afternoon, as isla Magazine reports, citing the Balearic forestry protection authority Ibanet.
The fire, which broke out near the popular vacation resort, led to the precautionary evacuation of five residential buildings. The police escorted the residents safely out of the danger zone, and after intensive firefighting operations were completed, everyone was able to return to their homes that evening. Overnight, Ibanet staff monitored the area to ensure that no new fires broke out.
Initial investigations by the fire department indicate that human error during a slash-and-burn operation in the surrounding area was the cause of the forest fire. These slash-and-burn operations, which are carried out on behalf of Ibanat, are actually intended to create firebreaks and thus prevent the spread of fires. In the case of Costa del Pins, however, this measure proved to be flawed.
Although the fire destroyed an area of just over 4 hectares, the damage to flora and fauna was limited. This event highlights the ongoing risk of forest fires on the island, exacerbated by the drought of recent weeks and low rainfall. Mallorca's fire department continually warns of the danger and this latest fire clearly shows how quickly situations can develop.
This incident is another reminder of the importance of precise and safe slash-and-burn practices and the need to remain vigilant and take preventative measures seriously to ensure the safety of the islanders and their visitors.
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