An area to the West of what is known as Rdum il-Ħmar in l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa sustained serious fire damage in the early hours of Sunday 17th May 2020. ERA Officers worked hand in hand with the Police and CPD and once the area was cleared and was declared safe by CPD, ERA Officers inspected the area for damage. Apart from innumerable invasive alien acacia specimens, around 450 protected trees were clearly impacted, some minimally and others appearing completely burnt. These consisted mostly of pines but also a few cypress, carobs and lentisk trees. Two sizeable areas of garigue were also burnt.
The affected area falls outside of the Special Conservation area but is still considered as an area of ecological importance as it is a garigue.
From preliminary investigations, it seems that the fire spread from a firepit that was not extinguished after being used by campers in the area.
ERA would like to urge the general public to exercise caution in open natural spaces, especially in the summer months where the dry weather favours fires to grow and may potentially create extensive damage to natural habitats.
18 May 2020
