Palma.The Balearic government and the Guardia Civil yesterday expressed their concern about the alarmingly high number forest fires which have broken out in the Balearics, in particular Majorca, this year.
After the three reported on Tuesday, the total number of fires since the start of the year is over 70 and the emergency services fear there are more to come as a mini-heat wave brushes across the region.
This year has already been the worst for forest fires in the past 20 years with over 2'000 hectares of woodland and pine forest torched.
Worried
Balearic government sources admitted the body is worried about the high level of incidents and is studying new and urgent preventative measures.
Over the past week, a total of 12 fires destroyed over seven hectares of land and there appears no signs of the threat easing as conditions remain extremely dry with high temperatures and warm winds.
Arson
The Guardia Civil is working round the clock investigating each and every fire to determine if any were the result of arson with the aim of catching the culprits before they can strike again.
Yesterday, the Balearic Met. office issued a level two yellow alert for high temperatures over the next few days.
Average maximum temperatures until Sunday will be around 34ºC and 35ºC although in some areas, they could be even higher.