Over the past few weeks, we have seen several incidents where fires were caused by fireworks, with the result that several green areas, some of them protected, were ravaged.

Such incidents highlight three points: the first is that fireworks can be very detrimental to our environment; the second is that there is still widespread ignorance about such things; and the third is that the Civil Protection Department is still understaffed, especially in areas like Gozo.

Point 1: We acknowledge that fireworks are an intrinsic part of our culture and identity, and also that fires caused by pyrotechnic displays are a common occurrence. But what happened in Nadur last week was unacceptable. Eyewitnesses told this newsroom that the fireworks show over the Nadur valley continued despite the dozen or so fires it caused. This was not a case where one fire developed and was put out within a few minutes. No, one fire became two, then three, four and so on. And despite the huge blaze that engulfed parts of the valley, the petards and colour shells kept going up. One would have expected the show to stop given the damage it was causing. Unfortunately, the show was prioritised over the environment. There was another incident, near the Xaghra cliffs, where fireworks also set off a large grassfire. In both incidents, the authorities had issued all the necessary permits. Something is clearly wrong. The authorities should be more mindful of the current conditions at the places where the fireworks are let off from. And the organisers should be more careful too – just because a permit is issued does not mean that it is okay to cause severe environmental damage just so that we can enjoy some fireworks for a few minutes. Perhaps letting off fireworks from barges at sea is a more sensible option at this time of the year.

Point 2: Not all fires were caused by festa fireworks. A couple of weeks back, a marriage proposal in Ghajn Tuffieha set fire to a highly protected area. It was a romantic gesture, but also a very stupid one – letting off flares on dry grass in an ecologically sensitive area was not the brightest of ideas. While the proposal video went viral on social media, the backlash that ensued was not something to be proud of. It showed just how short-sighted some people can be, and how lacking we are on awareness on such matters. Luckily, the fires did not spread much, but next time, the effects could be much worse.

Point 3: The Civil Protection Department is, at this time of the year, hard pressed dealing with grass fires all around the country. It is a common occurrence in Malta, made worse by the recent scorching temperatures. But this newsroom received reports last week – both from Nadur and also from Ramla Bay, where a fire ravaged a large chunk of countryside – that the firefighters took ages to arrive. The Malta Independent was told that it took the CPD over half an hour to respond to the Nadur fires and, when they did, only one fire engine showed up. It was a similar story at Ramla, where no firefighting equipment had reached the site an hour after the blaze started. Our firefighters carry out a sterling job all year round, often risking life and limb, but it is clear that more resources are needed in Gozo.

While fireworks should not be banned, it is high time that the policies regulating them are reviewed. Our environment is already under threat by the incessant take up of land for construction.  We cannot afford to let anything else destroy what little countryside we have left.