The forest fire in La Palma, which has been affecting the northwest of the island since yesterday (Saturday), has reactivated in the upper part of the municipality of Tijarafe above the main town. Although the evolution was favourable overnight, the ground and air teams are now working hard to prevent this reactivation from consolidating and endangering more homes.
The director in charge of the operation, Rafael García, stated today that the next few hours are critical for getting the fire under control among concerns about a possible change in the direction of the wind at altitude, which could cause more problems if the fire intensifies again.
García said that they are doing everything possible to control these reactivations and prevent the fire from heading towards inhabited areas. Our objective is to redirect it towards the upper part of the forest tracks that lead to El Time.
So far planes and helicopters have dropped over 350,000 litres of water on the area of the fire that they have been targeting, assisted by 400 ground crew and fire engines.
The reactivation of this flank of the fire is mainly due to the turbulence generated by the leeward wind and the intense heat the ground retains that revives the hot spots.
Another ‘branch’ of the fire has moved into the National Park and is affecting the La Caldera de Taburiente, spreading through the area of the Tenerra Hill and the Bombas de Agua ravine.
After a reconnaissance flight, the director of the National Park, Angel Palomares, explained that the fire is advancing slowly on the southwestern flank towards Tazacorte in areas of difficult access, and fortunately, it has not spread as far as first thought.
In principle, no emergency personnel will be sent to that area of the National Park at this stage, as although there is still flammable material, the ravines are acting as natural barriers and it is more than likely that the fire will go out on its own accord.
THE FIRE IN ARAFO, TENERIFE:
The Tenerife Cabildo has confirmed that the fire in Arafo is under control and extinguished. In total it has affected 30 hectares of scrubland, spreading into Candelaria .
The 50 people who were evacuated from their homes yesterday afternoon as a preventive measure, have been authorized to return as it is now safe to do so.
A hundred people participated in the extinguishing work during the two days, with the support of two helicopters from the Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands.
The Cabildo forest brigades (BRIFOR), personnel from the Tenerife Fire Consortium, volunteer firefighters from Valle de Güímar, the Local Police of Arafo, Candelaria and Güímar have collaborated, as well as Civil Protection officers from the three municipalities have all participated.
THE FIRE IN EL SEQUERO, GRAN CANARIA:
The Cabildo de Gran Canaria declared today that the outbreak of fire in the El Sequero area of San Bartolomé de Tirajana has also been put out.
Via their Twitter account, they have detailed that troops have remained in the area today to continue watering and cooling down the area affected, which is around five hectares of grass and scrubland.
The access road to El Sequero and Tunte, the Ayacata junction, of the GC-60 with the GC-600, remains closed in both directions, allowing only access to Security and Emergency vehicles. The evacuation of the houses near the centre of the fire is also being evaluated.
