The Ministry of the Environment regulates activities and traffic in the mountains to prevent forest fires due to the heat wave.

The Regional Ministry of the Environment, Mar Menor, Universities and Research, through a resolution from the General Directorate of Natural Heritage and Climate Action, is implementing a series of extraordinary measures to prevent forest fires, due to the forecast of an episode of extreme heat, along with Föhen winds, that will affect the Region of Murcia from July 18 to 21.

The Resolution establishes restrictions on the use of machinery for work in forest areas due to the expected high temperatures, which pose an increased risk of fire. Furthermore, it expressly prohibits, from July 18 to 21 (inclusive), any type of work requiring the use of the following machinery: radial equipment, welding, disc brush cutters, or chippers in forest-use areas and in the surrounding area for 100 meters.

Work in forest areas

Authorized work in forest areas must be carried out between 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., following the guidelines set forth in the resolution, with the exception of the use of boilers for the extraction of aromatic herbs or beekeeping, which may be carried out between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Road repair work that does not involve the use of the aforementioned machinery is exempt from the above.

To prevent the risk of forest fires, this measure also prohibits activities such as launching fireworks within 400 meters of forested land, with the exception of ground fireworks with a flight height of less than two meters above the ground; lighting fires in recreational areas; and holding motorized vehicle trials or competitions that cross public or private forest land.

Vehicle traffic for motor vehicles and machinery is restricted on certain roads crossing forest land from 6:00 a.m. on July 18th until 7:00 a.m. on July 22nd, with exceptions for access to homes, properties, and forestry or mining operations located within forest areas. An exception will also be made for access and return between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for hunters on standby, when the journey on foot is more than three kilometers, and this may particularly affect people with mobility limitations.

The environmental monitoring functions carried out by environmental agents and other authorities or public employees are not limited, nor are access via paved forest tracks, when justified for safety reasons.

Environmental officials will ensure compliance with these forest fire prevention measures, and the Forest Fire Defense Unit (UDIF) personnel assigned to the Infomur Plan will remain on alert.