Thousands of individuals have been forced to evacuate in Tenerife, as relentless efforts by firefighters and the army are underway to contain an uncontrollable wildfire. The crisis emerged when the fire ignited on Wednesday, compelling nearly 4,500 people to evacuate villages and campsites. Thousands more were advised to stay indoors, reflecting the severity of the situation.
Fernando Clavijo, the regional leader, expressed the gravity of the situation, asserting that this could be one of the most intricate blazes witnessed on the Canary Islands in the past four decades. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, as temperatures are expected to surge once again during the upcoming weekend.
Notably, the island’s capital, Santa Cruz, is situated merely 12 miles away from the raging flames. Despite the proximity, Tenerife’s tourism office reassured that the fire hasn’t encroached upon the primary holiday zones and urban areas, which are reportedly functioning as usual.
Although waterbombing aircraft succeeded in stabilizing the fire to the south of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, the northern flank of the blaze remained untamed. The extent of the crisis is vividly depicted by Alba Gil, a resident of the village La Esperanza, who described the suffocating sensation that shrouds the area due to the pervasive smoke.
While access to the mountains has been curtailed, the island’s airports continue to operate without disruptions. The firefighting endeavor has mobilized a substantial force, including 17 aircraft and around 350 firefighters and military personnel.
Fernando Clavijo disclosed that the fire’s perimeter has stretched to nearly 19 miles. Local residents, like Celestino Suarez, shared their apprehensions about the devastating blaze. The ominous sight of the mountain engulfed by the firewall exemplifies the urgency of the battle against the wildfire.
The wildfire’s intensity is exacerbated by the recent heatwave that subjected the island to temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F), leaving the ground exceedingly parched.
Tenerife joins the list of areas grappling with unprecedented wildfire emergencies this summer. The nearby La Palma bore witness to a blaze last month that consumed about 11,000 acres and led to the evacuation of over 2,000 individuals. The most catastrophic wildfire in recent times unfolded in Hawaii, claiming the lives of at least 106 people as it tore through a popular town on Maui.
Scientists emphasize that the growing frequency of extreme weather events is closely linked to the impact of climate change.
