As the Met Office issues a warning for a heartwave today and over the next few days with temperatures in the early 40ś the Murcia region has closed the «monte» (all country and mountain area tracks and accesses) to all traffic from today, July 21 until July 27.
The regional Department of the Environment has announced a battery of measures to prevent forest fires during this period of maximum risk of forest fires. These include:
The «monte» will be closed to traffic and all accesses and tracks closed.
Prohibiting the use of machinery or mechanical tools on paths, tracks and roads that go through forests and woods: especially those machines that may cause sparks or heat. These include the use of strimmers, soldering tools and tools using metal discs within 200 metres of forests or wooded areas.
Lighting fires is prohibited in recreation areas.
Fireworks are prohibited at 400 metres from wooded terrains.
All vehicle and motor trials are prohibited in the monte, private or public.
All these restictions apply from today July 2 to July 27.
Environmental officers will ensure these measures are complied with and will reinforce vigilance in natural protected spaces.
The Regional Government insists on the necessity for extreme caution and prudence over the next few days to avoid any activity that may generate fire, sparks or flames and to follow the indications of the emergency services at all times.
AEMET, the Met Office, has issued a warning for high temperatures today, Tuesday July 21, within a heatwave predicted to last until at least Thursday July 23.
There is an Orange Weather Warning for temperatures in the 40ś in the North West region of Murcia, that includes Calasparra, as well as storms between 2pm and 9pm today.
AEMET has issued a special warning for a heatwave with a high probability that temperatures will be exceptionally high until at least Thursday and may continue through the weekend.
AEMET recommends avoiding exposure to the sun during the central hours of the day, to drink plenty of water and to look after people vulnerable to the heat. Also to avoid any actitivy that may cause fire given that the risk is extremely high.
