The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has just given the latest data for the forest fire in Tenerife after meeting with all the heads of the emergency resources that are fighting it. It now covers 11,600 hectares with a perimeter of 84 kilometres and several new outbreaks due to the weather.
The increase in temperatures and the strength and direction of the wind, have led to the reactivation of several points within the perimeter and some new fires outside of it, as well as contributing to the increased spread into Teide National Park.
As you can see the fire now covers more than just the crown of the forest, and the red and orange triangles all represent smaller outbreaks that once ignited, are growing and joining the main fire as it spreads making its advancement even quicker.
THE AIM IS TO STOP IT SPREADING TO THE SOUTH:
Clavijo said: "Some areas that were already stabilized have been reactivated by the heat and the voracity of the flames, but firefighters are attending to each of these reactivations as quickly as possible to try and control them”.
Today's objective is that, before sunset, the area of Pico Cho Marcial be stabilized. Clavijo explained that they are trying to control the fire so that it dies in areas where there is no vegetation, to prevent the flames from spreading to the southern slope towards the south of the island.
The fire has now reached the observatory in the Teide National Park
AEMET UPDATES MONDAYS WEATHER FORECAST:
The latest weather forecast for tomorrow, Monday 21st August, shows that it be slightly cloudy or clear skies, except for intervals of medium and high clouds during the first half of the day when there will be a low probability of some weak and isolated showers in high areas, as well as some intervals of low clouds in the north in the early and late hours.
Maximum temperatures will decrease slightly and the minimum ones will stay the same as now. As for the wind, it will be light to moderate from the north. In central summits, there will be a strong wind from the south during the second half of the day.
ANAGA RURAL PARK IS CLOSED:
The access road to the Anaga Rural Park through the TF-12 has been closed to traffic at kilometre point 26, by the Casa Domingo Restaurant. A police patrol is monitoring the traffic and only residents of Macizo de Anaga are able to access.
The public is reminded to avoid travelling to the area of the fire as all access roads are closed, and that it is prohibited to use the trails for walking or hiking, given the emergency situation the island is in due to the forest fire.
