Strategic Water Tanks to Reinforce Firefighting

The plan foresees 16 water points in critical areas to support firefighting operations

What does it consist of?

The plan to install 16 water tanks in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera seeks to aid ground and air operations in extinguishing forest fires. The locations have been defined in line with the Balearic Islands’ Fourth General Plan for Forest Fire Defence.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
A project involving the installation of water reservoirs to fight forest fires in highly valuable ecological areas
LOCATION
Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Govern de les Illes Balears
Entity that executes the project
Institut Balear de la Natura (IBANAT)
Project code
ITS2016-030
Total project amount
400.000 €
ITS granted amount
400.000 €
Executed amount
315.150 €
Call year
2016
Execution status
In execution
Purpose
Environment
Budget execution
Executed: 78.79%
Last data request
11.08.2025

The project

Forest fires are a constant threat to island ecosystems. Although there have been fewer incidents over the last decade, those that go beyond initial control cause serious environmental damage and sometimes affect property and people. Fires such as those in Andratx in 2013, Morna in 2011 and Benirràs in 2010 marked a turning point in fire prevention policy.

In this context, the project foresees the installation of 16 water tanks in high-risk areas. The initiative is part of the Fourth General Plan for Forest Fire Defence (2015–2024) and responds to an operational priority: ensuring sufficient and accessible supply for ground and air resources in emergency situations.

The choice of sites has been made taking into account both the coverage of large forest areas and the proximity to sites of high ecological importance. Two types of tanks are planned, adapted to the logistical needs of each environment, with the aim of reducing response times and increasing the effectiveness of firefighting.

With a budget of €400,000, the action reinforces critical firefighting infrastructure across the four islands. The Balearic Nature Institute is leading the plan’s execution, ensuring that the water points are properly integrated into the prevention network and are available for use throughout the year.