The Government limits access to the Tramuntana mountain range during the solar eclipse
PalmaThe Government presented this Thursday the public safety and forest protection measures planned for the total solar eclipse that will take place on August 12. These actions include the shielding of the Serra de Tramuntana and the most sensitive natural areas, as well as the launch of 26 official observation zones (ZOO) distributed throughout the Balearic Islands so that this exceptional phenomenon can be experienced with the maximum safety guarantees.
The main novelty of the device is the specific protection of the Serra de Tramuntana and the rest of the particularly sensitive natural areas of the Balearic Islands, where a high concentration of people is expected during the evening of August 12. The Director General of Emergencies and Interior, Pablo Gárriz, explained that the measures have been defined exclusively based on technical criteria of civil protection and forest protection to minimize fire risk and guarantee a rapid response from emergency services.
For this reason, the device will begin on Tuesday, August 11, with permanent monitoring of the main accesses to the Serra de Tramuntana and areas with a higher expected turnout. On the day of the eclipse, mobility control will be intensified from 10:00 AM and continuous monitoring of capacity and traffic evolution will be carried out. From 3:00 PM, or earlier if operational circumstances require it, general circulation on the Ma-10 will be restricted and only authorized access for residents, people who prove the need to access their accommodation, essential services, and regular public transport will be maintained.
Restrictions to ensure safe mobility
The device foresees traffic restrictions or regulations on about twenty roads that provide access to natural spaces, lighthouses, viewpoints, beaches, and other crowded points. In general, they will apply between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, although they may be brought forward if safety circumstances require it.
The objective of these measures is not to limit mobility, but to ensure that it is carried out safely and that emergency services can act quickly whenever necessary.
In addition to the measures foreseen in the main natural spaces and observation areas, the device incorporates specific actions in the main urban centers where a high concentration of people is also expected.
Palma will also activate a specific device through its Municipal Territorial Civil Protection Plan (PLATERPALMA), which includes access and parking restrictions on Palma Beach, mobility regulations on the Ma-19, and measures aimed at ensuring the operation of public transport and access to essential services, especially to health centers and the airport.
All restrictions foresee exceptions for residents, essential services, public transport, and duly justified travel, in accordance with the conditions established by each competent administration.
Reinforcement of security on the coast and at sea
The operation is completed with a special reinforcement of surveillance on the coast and at sea. This operation foresees the increase of maritime surveillance means and close coordination between the Civil Guard, the National Police, Maritime Rescue, Maritime Captaincy, and the rest of the competent organizations to guarantee the safety of people both on the coast and at sea during the eclipse day.
The general secretary of the delegation of the Government of Spain in the Balearic Islands, Rubén Castro, has highlighted that this reinforcement will allow responding to the increase in vessels expected during the eclipse and acting quickly in case of any incident that may occur on the coast or at sea.
26 official observation zones
The 26 official observation zones (ZOO) have been selected after analyzing more than a hundred possible locations, taking into account criteria of phenomenon visibility, accessibility, reception capacity, parking availability, and the possibility of intervention by emergency services.
The official observation zones are not the places from which the eclipse is best seen; they are the spaces from which the Government can best guarantee people's safety.
In total, 26 official observation zones have been set up: nine in Mallorca, nine in Menorca, six in Ibiza, and two in Formentera.
The ZOOs will allow observers to be distributed throughout the territory, reduce pressure on the most sensitive areas, and facilitate safe, orderly observation compatible with the preservation of the natural environment.
Months of joint work and planning
The measures presented are the result of the work carried out by the Commission for the Management of Actions Related to the Total Solar Eclipse of 2026, created by the Government to plan in advance the response to an unprecedented event.
The second vice-president and minister of the Presidency, Coordination of Government Action and Local Cooperation, Antònia Maria Estarellas, has thanked the involvement of all participating administrations and organizations and has assured that "it is a device that can only be understood through institutional cooperation".
In this regard, she highlighted the collaboration of the island councils, the 67 town councils, the Government Delegation, the Directorate General of Traffic, the security forces and bodies, the emergency services, Ports IB, the Port Authority, Maritime Rescue, Maritime Captaincy, the University of the Balearic Islands, AstroMallorca, the FELIB, the Cartographic and Geographic Institute of the Balearic Islands (ICGIB) and the rest of the entities that have contributed to the planning of the device.
Information campaign
The presentation of the measures also culminates one of the most extensive communication and awareness campaigns that the Government has promoted around a civil protection event. The campaign, coordinated by the General Directorate of Communication and Open Government, with the participation of the General Directorate of Tourism and AETIB, has disseminated messages in five languages on eye health, fire prevention, mobility, and maritime safety, thanks to the collaboration of institutions and the entire tourism sector, with special mention to the Hotel Federation of Mallorca (FEHM).
The information is already present at airports, ports, hotels, tourist accommodations, car rental companies, and tourist offices. In addition, the Government has directly informed 40,000 families, 20,000 healthcare professionals, and 40,000 public employees. All resources can be consulted at eclipsisegur.caib.es and through the Horizon Eclipse 2026 tool, the observation of the eclipse can be planned in advance.
In fact, the app has accumulated more than 15,000 unique visitors and nearly 20,000 visits since it was launched. The usage rate continues to increase, with a 71% increase in daily visits during July.