More than three weeks after it began on August 15th, the forest fire in Tenerife remains uncontrolled and the Cabildo still has a team of 110 emergency personnel on the ground working to extinguish it. These personnel are focused on suppressing areas where it keeps reigniting inside the fire's perimeter, which spans approximately 90 kilometres.
In addition to the ground personnel, coordination and logistics staff continue to work on the emergency response, as announced by the Cabildo yesterday (Thursday) in a press conference. They also reported that the remaining members of the Brifor Operation are deployed throughout the island for surveillance and firefighting to prevent any other potential flare-ups.
Furthermore, 15 troops are involved in restoration efforts, and 20 more are working on repairing forest roads by removing materials damaged by the fire.
Access to the Teide National Park via TF-24 (La Esperanza) and TF-21 (La Orotava) will remain closed to traffic for several more weeks to ensure people’s safety and facilitate firefighting efforts.
Similarly, the TF-523 (Subida Los Loros) remains closed, but access to the Teide National Park is possible via Vilaflor (TF-21) and Chío (TF-38) but only as far as Portillo Alto to allow people reach the cable car and the restaurants in the area.
Preventive Measures in Several Municipalities:
The Cabildo still has active Level 3 measures in the municipalities of Güímar, Arafo, Fasnia, Candelaria, El Rosario, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava, and Los Realejos.
These measures include the prohibition of campfires in recreational areas and using forest roads and trails. Staying in the forest and outdoor fires (bonfires, stoves, barbecues, gas cookers), fireworks displays, and the use of machinery and tools that can cause sparks are all prohibited.
Closed Trails in Teide:
As for the trails in the Teide National Park, the following are entirely closed: Trail No. 1 La Fortaleza, Trail No. 2 Arenas Negras, Trail No. 8 El Filo, Trail No. 14 Alto de Guamaso, Trail No. 17 Igueque, Trail No. 20 Volcán de Fasnia, Trail No. 21 Corral del Niño a La Yegua Blanca, Trail No. 25 Recibo Quemado, Trail No. 29 Degollada del Cedro, Trail No. 34 Montaña Limón, Trail No. 36 Alto de La Fortaleza, and Trail No. 37 Cerrillar-Carnicería.
On the other hand, Trail No. 4 Siete Cañadas is partially closed from the start at the El Portillo Visitor Center to its connection with Trail No. 30 Los Valles (Risco de La Papelera), while Trail No. 22 Lomo Hurtado is partially closed from its start in connection with Trail No. 1 La Fortaleza to its connection with Trail No. 33 Montaña Negra.
