The heat wave over the last week or so, with temperatures in Mallorca reaching up to 39º C (in Sa Pobla), now gives way to concern. Everything is utterly dry. The authorities are worried about forest fires. 

It last rained in Mallorca in the middle of June, some eight weeks ago. The month of July is considered to have been drier than usual. Most parts of Spain, and the Balearic Islands included, are now under a serious threat of forest fires.

Be careful when out and about. Do not smoke out in the open landscape and do not discard your cigarette ends whilst driving through the beauty of the island. Do not light fires out in rural areas, not even on your own piece of land, until well after the Autumn rains that hopefully we’ll get soon. Do not make barbecues beyond the confines of your town, village or pueblo, and certainly not anywhere near any woodland. And keep your fingers crossed that everybody else is also making use of their own good senses.

The photo was taken in Sa Calobra, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: July 5th, 2008. The time was 15:42:35.