Maqluba Continues To Burn Three Days Later As Local NGOs Fear For Protected And Endemic Wildlife In Sinkhole

The fire at Maqluba has been going on since the 14th of August. That’s three days of hell for the flora and fauna which are found in this area, and the casualties are starting to build up.

The Għaqda Siġar Maltin reported that the damage done to this Natura 2000 site started out after a petard during the Qrendi feast’s pyrotechnic show fell in the natural sinkhole.

The celebrations turned sour as the petard fell in the nature reserve. The sinkhole known as Il-Maqluba has its own ecosystem, which means it houses many types of flora and fauna which are rare or impossible to find elsewhere.

The protected area also houses many giant reeds, which although are considered an invasive species, still play a hand at supporting the microclimate in this area. In fact, it seems like a giant reed probably bore the brunt of the flames.

This climate is vital to many local trees which are extremely scarce in other areas, such as our national tree, the siġra tal-għargħar.

Now, an entire three days later, the fire is still not extinguished completely.

In a statement issued earlier today, the Environment and Resources Authority said it worked incessantly with the Civil Protection Department on the fires. While a more accurate assessment of damages can only be made once the fires are completely extinguished, many NGOs have expressed concern at the possibility of some endemic and protected wildlife being harmed in the fire that has been smouldering ever since last Tuesday.

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