Approximately 3,000 residents in Tenerife were evacuated from their homes due to a wildfire intensified by rising temperatures and forceful winds. The inferno engulfs a woodland area that had been previously devastated by a fire in August.
Emergency services have sought aid from the military to battle the flames. Online images reveal firefighters tirelessly combating the fire, with reports suggesting that around 90 personnel have been dispatched.
The fire’s epicenter is located around Santa Ursula and La Orotava, nestled in the northeastern mountains of the island. Fortunately, these regions are distant from Tenerife’s primary tourist spots, situated in the southwest. Both of the island’s airports are functioning as usual.
As for travelers with impending plans to visit Tenerife, Cawley recommends monitoring flights, ensuring airports’ operational status, and continuing with travel plans since the primary tourist spots remain unaffected.
The previous wildfire in August raged on for several days, annihilating about 37,000 acres of national park woodland surrounding the Mount Teide volcano. Although that fire was deemed under control, the Canary Islands regional leader, Fernando Clavijo, revealed that embers persisted in the forest. The depleted woodland serves as a minor fuel source, reducing the potential of an uncontrollable blaze.
The island is currently bracing for a heatwave, with temperatures forecasted to soar to 39C (102F) in the coming days.
