MADRID — With a total solar eclipse set to sweep across the Balearic archipelago on Wednesday, Spanish authorities are rolling out an unusually broad security operation spanning land, sea and air. The Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request from the Balearic government and will deploy a tactical sub-group at several points in the Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range that runs along Mallorca's northwest coast.
The troops will reinforce 93 forest firefighters already stationed on Mallorca, plus 23 on Menorca, 39 on Ibiza and six on Formentera. The regional government, known as the Govern, also plans to step up aerial surveillance flights, as dry weather and gusty winds are raising the risk of wildfires on the day of the eclipse. Maritime Rescue has strengthened its sea operation with 70 extra professionals for the event.
Five-day operation, not just a one-day affair
The army deployment is not limited to Wednesday. The operation is already under way and will last five days, although the Govern's spokesman, Antoni Costa, declined to specify how many soldiers are involved. Their main task is to tighten access to the Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is particularly vulnerable to fire in the current conditions.
From 15:00 to 21:00 on Wednesday, the Ma-10 road — the main artery through the mountains — will be closed to general traffic between Andratx and Pollença. Only residents, property owners, workers, guests, customers with accredited parking, and public transport or VTCs will be allowed through. In addition, access will be restricted to numerous viewpoints, coves and natural areas across several municipalities, according to Diario de Mallorca. The Govern has set up a dedicated website (in Spanish) where all closures can be followed in real time.
The eclipse is expected to draw massive crowds to the region. The Balearic Association of Nautical Companies reports that practically all boats have already been chartered for the event, according to SER Mallorca. Palma's municipal bus company, EMT, will run a special service to s'Arenal, a coastal town south of the capital, as the city prepares to close its beach from 12:00 up to the boundary with Llucmajor.
Beyond the islands, Spain's central government has launched a nationwide security operation that will deploy 33,600 officers from the National Police and the Civil Guard under a single command for land, sea and aerial surveillance. They will work in permanent coordination with the Directorate-General for Traffic, which is providing an additional 2,500 staff. Authorities expect more than one million journeys across the country during the eclipse, and have restricted 123 high-risk areas for environmental reasons or because of evacuation difficulties.
This eclipse is a rare event for Spain, and the country is already looking ahead to a rare trio of eclipses starting in 2026. For those planning to watch, experts recommend using certified eclipse glasses to protect your eyes. And if you're hoping to capture the moment on your phone, there are tips to avoid frying your device.
The Balearic government has urged visitors to respect the closures and heed safety instructions. "We want everyone to enjoy this extraordinary phenomenon, but we must do so without endangering lives or our natural heritage," Costa said in a statement.
With the eclipse expected to peak in the early evening, authorities are bracing for a surge in traffic and potential bottlenecks. The combination of large crowds, dry vegetation and limited access points makes the Tramuntana a particular concern. Firefighters have already been deployed to strategic locations, and aerial units are on standby to respond to any outbreak.
For residents and visitors alike, the message is clear: plan ahead, check the official closures, and be prepared for a day that will be anything but ordinary.
