The first big forest fire of the summer has broken out in Majorca today in the area of Ses Conques in the municipality of Puigpunyent, which is thick with forest and agricultural land.

The alarm was raised at 4.30pm and, due to the proximity of the blaze to houses in the area, a level-one emergency was immediately declared.

Dozens of fire fighters were deployed to the scene from the Soller, Calvia and Llucmajor fire brigades while three helicopters and three aircraft have been tackling the blaze from the air.

With evening approaching, fire fighters are still on the scene and the exact extent of the damage remains unknown.

Members from the AMA Environmental Agency and the Ibanat Forest Commission have assisted in fighting the flames which are being fuelled by the gentle hot breeze which is only serving to complicate the task of bringing the fire under control before extinguishing it. Fire fighters will stay on the scene overnight in the event of the fire growing.