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The forest fire that began on Tuesday in Tenerife, Canary Islands, has intensified, as confirmed by 112 Canarias via Twitter. This escalation prompted a visit from the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, to the coordination center early on Saturday. The fire has expanded in the northern region, necessitating evacuations from multiple areas.
Manuel Miranda, the Canary Islands' emergency chief, termed the series of evacuations in the northern part of Tenerife as 'massive.' They span from Tacoronte to La Orotava, with further evacuations not off the table for the day.
Residents received SMS alerts about the situation and evacuation procedures. Impressively, no property damage has been reported.
The intensification of the fire is attributed to adverse weather conditions – rising heat, strong winds, and decreased humidity. The primary efforts now are to control the fire's advancement and ensure safe evacuations.
A disruption to the electricity infrastructure in La Orotava was noted, but no direct consequences to the residents occurred due to the evacuation.
The fire currently spans 5,000 hectares with a 50-kilometer perimeter, impacting ten municipalities. Fernando Clavijo noted its origin in Güímar's upper areas, leading to several evacuations, including the Canary Islands Astrophysical Institute in Izaña.
Despite the challenges, Clavijo praised the dedication and morale of the firefighting teams. The terrain and weather have posed significant challenges in containing the fire, especially given the fluctuating wind conditions and the rugged landscape.
Weather predictions anticipate increased temperatures in the fire's vicinity, with potential wind gusts of over 50 km/h and low humidity, a pattern expected to continue into Sunday.
The response to the wildfire includes the deployment of 17 aircraft, one of which is a Kamov helicopter known for its high water-carrying capacity. Among the 3,000+ evacuees, only 14 individuals and around a hundred pets are using designated shelters.
Essential services, especially water supply, are a concern due to infrastructure damage. Despite this, the electricity supply is expected to remain stable.
Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo, emphasized the struggles faced by the teams fighting this 'devastating fire' and mentioned a water supply issue in La Orotava. Repairs are pending due to the fire's location.
The most active firefront, Santa Ursula, is advancing through ravines towards Monteverde, a region more resistant to fires. Other regions also report slow progression of the fire.
Last night saw a team of 366 personnel addressing the fire situation, with 260 scheduled for today.
Clavijo emphasized the priority of ensuring public safety, protecting property, and minimizing environmental damage. He advised the public to exercise caution regarding smoke exposure and discouraged any unnecessary visits to affected peaks.
The anticipated wind changes and temperature rises over the weekend are sources of concern for experts. The wind shift could direct smoke towards La Orotava and Güímar, with temperatures expected to soar in the upcoming days.