Second-lowest since 1974: Fewer Wildfires in the Balearic Islands — and What It Means for Mallorca

Second-lowest since 1974: Fewer Wildfires in the Balearic Islands — and What It Means for Mallorca

82 fires, around 17 hectares affected – a piece of news that smells of sea air

The Balearic government has confirmed: in 2025 a total of 82 wildfires were recorded on the islands, affecting just over 17 hectares. This is the second-best figure since records began in 1974. Mallorca itself counted 39 fires, Ibiza 26. These numbers may sound matter-of-fact, but they bring a slight sense of relief — like a cool gust of wind on a hot day along the Passeig del Born.

If you walk through Palma on a winter morning, you hear the usual noises: delivery vans, seagulls, the crunch of chestnut leaves. There is also something you may appreciate even more when the Tramuntana forests rise before you: the smell of pine and damp earth. The figures from last year are therefore more than statistics. They are a short moment to breathe for all of us — for the farmers in Llucmajor, the hikers at Cala Tuent and the winemakers in the Pla de Mallorca.

The Balearic government credits prevention, better coordination and rapid intervention for the calm balance. That sounds plausible: when control centres alert faster, firefighting helicopters are deployed more precisely and access routes are kept clear, less area burns. Residents often notice such measures first: fewer loud overflights, fewer road closures, less smell of burnt resin in the evening.

But an all-clear does not mean complacency. A look at the recent hot summers shows how quickly a small fire can cause great harm (Mallorca on Alert: Highest Wildfire Warning Level and Scorching Heat – What to Do Now).

On Mallorca, narrow mountain tracks in the Tramuntana, dense pine forests and scattered fincas are a challenge for firefighters. The positive 2025 balance owes much to human effort — from professional crews to volunteer fire groups — and to small everyday measures: cleared access ways, tidy hedges and attentive neighbours.

So what should we do as an island community now? First: keep up prevention. That means no uncontrolled outdoor fires, refrain from smoking near forests during dry months and only barbecue in permitted, clean areas (Wildfire Season in Mallorca Officially Over — Relief with Reservations). Second: keep paths and access routes clear. A rescue vehicle often needs only a few minutes to reach a fire — minutes that decide the extent of the blaze. Third: report quickly and attentively. A quick call to emergency services can achieve more than a whole post on social media.

Technology also helps: weather data from AEMET, drones for situational images and modern communication between municipalities shorten response times (Alarm Level 4 in the Balearic Islands: Why Every Spark Counts Now). At the same time, the figures show that traditional on-the-ground work matters: training for municipal workers, regular maintenance of firebreaks and clear evacuation plans. Municipalities like Andratx or Sóller feel this when field tracks are cleaner and water points for firefighting remain accessible.

An effect that is hard to capture in charts: the return of normality. When school classes go on field trips again in spring, fishermen in Portixol enjoy their early morning coffee at the harbour and winemakers on the Plaça de Sa Sinia discuss vine pruning, that is a good sign. Protecting our landscape is also protecting tourism and local traditions.

In closing, a small, friendly appeal: go for a walk, but think about a bucket of water if you plan an open-fire picnic. Report smoke immediately. And appreciate the quiet work behind the number 82 — from drivers and control centres to foresters and volunteers. If we continue to work together, the island will stay green and alive — with the scent of the sea in the air.

Outlook: The positive 2025 results are an occasion to stabilise and improve what has been achieved. Maintenance, information and technology should go hand in hand. That way Mallorca remains a place where you wake up and first smell pine, not smoke.