On World Biodiversity Day, the environmental foundation emphasises the essential role of forest cover in species conservation and soil protection
22 May 2026 – To mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated every year on 22nd May, IbizaPreservation has emphasised the importance of taking extra precautions to prevent forest fires in Ibiza and strictly adhering to the restrictions in place from 1 May to 15 October. During this period, it is forbidden to light fires in forested areas or within 50 metres of them, a key measure to reduce the risk of fires during the hottest and driest months.
IbizaPreservation stressed that this ban is not only a matter of safety, but also of protecting biodiversity. The environmental foundation points out that on an island where over 71% of the land is forested , the forests and areas of natural vegetation play an essential role in species conservation, soil protection, water regulation, and the maintenance of landscapes fundamental to the well-being of the population: “World Biodiversity Day is an opportunity to remember that Ibiza’s nature needs prevention year-round, but especially now, when the risk of fire increases,” said Inma Saranova, director of the foundation. “Avoiding fires, not throwing away cigarette butts, not littering, and taking extreme precautions with any activity that could generate sparks are basic actions to protect our forests and the biodiversity they harbour,” she added.
The latest data from the Balearic Islands Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, analysed by the IbizaPreservation Sustainability Observatory, show that Ibiza recorded a total of 26 forest fires in 2025. This figure is slightly higher than the 22 incidents recorded in 2024, but lower than the 27 cases in 2023. Of the total fires recorded last year, 25 were small fires — fires controlled before exceeding one hectare of burned area — representing 96% of the cases, and only one reached the level of a major forest fire. This data is already included in the 2025 Ibiza Sustainability Report, currently being prepared and fully funded by the Consell of Ibiza.
Although most fires were brought under control before exceeding one hectare, the Observatory warns that this should not lead to complacency. “The fact that the vast majority of incidents remain small demonstrates the importance of early detection, vigilance, and the rapid intervention of firefighting teams. But it also reminds us that every act of carelessness can have serious consequences in a limited and environmentally valuable territory like Ibiza,” pointed out Elisa Langley , coordinator of the Sustainability Observatory.
In 2025, 3.4 hectares of forest land burned on the island, a figure similar to that of 2024, when 3.2 hectares burned, and lower than that of 2023, when 8.1 hectares burned . Furthermore, over the last decade, Ibiza has consistently recorded more than 20 forest fires per year, with the sole exception of 2021.
Forest management and prevention
The Observatory also points out that prevention requires active forest management. According to the Observatory’s report, 146 forestry harvesting permits were processed in Ibiza in 2025, 8.75% fewer than in 2024. The number of trees authorised for these activities also decreased, as did the volume of timber and forest biomass managed in 2025 , falling from approximately 1,102 cubic meters in 2024 to 859.43 in 2025 , a 22% drop . IbizaPreservation stressed that these types of forestry clearing and harvesting activities help reduce the accumulation of dry vegetation and biomass in the forest, a key factor in decreasing the risk of wildfires.
As the Observatory coordinator emphasised, “Sustainable forest management is not about exploiting the forest without control, but about keeping it healthier, less vulnerable, and better prepared to withstand fire.” It’s not about intervening more for the sake of intervention, “but about ensuring that necessary forest management practices are maintained: thinning, pruning, removal of plant debris, and biomass management can reduce fuel loads and help prevent more serious fires,” added Langley.
“Forest conservation doesn’t depend solely on extinguishing fires when they occur. It also requires prevention, forest management, and citizen collaboration,” said Inma Saranova. “Protecting Ibiza’s forests means protecting its biodiversity, its landscape, and its capacity to continue providing essential services to society. Therefore, discussing forest fires on World Biodiversity Day is relevant, as fire prevention is also a direct way to protect biodiversity. Ibiza’s forests harbour habitats, species, soils, and ecological processes essential to the island; therefore, a fire can not only destroy vegetation but also impoverish the ecosystem, exacerbate erosion, reduce wildlife refuges, and compromise the natural regeneration of the land.”
IbizaPreservation is therefore calling on residents and visitors to respect the ban on fires in forest areas throughout the high-risk season, avoid any behaviour that could cause a fire, and promptly call 112 if they see any smoke or other dangerous situation. Among other prohibited activities, it is forbidden to light fires in forest areas, discard cigarette butts, use machinery that could generate sparks, or leave waste in areas with dry vegetation.
“Citizen collaboration is essential during the high-risk wildfire season,” insisted the director of IbizaPreservation. “Avoiding reckless behaviour and exercising extreme caution in the mountains remains key to preventing fires and protecting the island’s natural heritage,” she added.
