Spanish towns Vila‑real and Maó tighten fire‑prevention and water‑use rules amid heatwave

The municipality of Vila‑real has intensified rural road clearing and parcel cleaning, deploying staff from an agricultural‑employment programme alongside municipal resources. The actions aim to lower wildfire risk during a period of high temperatures, with officials warning owners that serious violations may be referred to the prosecutor. Vice‑mayor Maria Fajardo said the work "allows intensive action on numerous rural roads and municipal parcels, reinforcing the usual municipal device in a particularly delicate period." Mayor José Benlloch also urged citizens to keep their land clean, citing legal obligations.

In Menorca’s capital Maó, the council approved stricter water‑use restrictions. Effective from 18 July, washing vehicles (except ambulances or fire trucks), filling pools and cleaning terraces with hoses are prohibited. Existing bans on irrigating ornamental grass, recharging water tanks and cleaning boats with hoses remain, while a 20 % reduction in water consumption by the Port Authority is noted. Water meters will detect violations, and offenders will have their water flow reduced. The measures stay in force until a monitoring commission decides otherwise, and the arrival of a new desalination plant will not end the restrictions.