In the ongoing battle against the forest fire in Tenerife that still remains not fully controlled, the timely occurrence of rain this weekend has significantly bolstered firefighting efforts. However, the Cabildo and State Security Forces have had to increase security in mountainous areas within affected municipalities, where access has been explicitly prohibited, due to the persistent presence of trespassers.
The Cabildo has officially documented multiple instances of people walking, cycling and horse riding in restricted areas over the weekend. Such blatant disregard for safety protocols not only jeopardizes the well-being of these individuals but also poses a grave threat to the dedicated personnel engaged in extinguishing the fire.
Blanca Pérez, the Minister of the Natural Environment for the Tenerife Cabildo, issued a stern and official warning earlier today, imploring the public to refrain from venturing into the mountainous areas. She underscored the continued peril posed by the uncontrolled fire, emphasizing the diverse hazards, such as falling trees and rocks, that people may encounter. Pérez formally called upon all citizens to exercise the utmost caution and prudence during this precarious period.
The current restrictions, classified as Grade 3 measures, remain in full force across municipalities directly affected by the fire. These comprehensive measures include a ban on outdoor fires, including bonfires, barbecues, and gas stoves, in addition to the prohibition of firework displays and the use of machinery and tools that may generate sparks. Officially, any type of motor vehicle is also forbidden for recreational purposes on forest trails.
The Cabildo authorities wish to reiterate that the Special Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Response to Forest Fires of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (INFOCA) and the Territorial Insular Emergency Plan (PEIN) remain officially activated.
With regard to the firefighting operations, the rain over the last two days has helped firefighters as they aim to finally get the fire completely under control and prevent any potential resurgence of the blaze.
Notably, the suspension of helicopter operations due to the weather conditions has resulted in the deployment of a ground team comprising 31 firefighting personnel.
While rainfall unquestionably benefits firefighting operations, it is essential to acknowledge that it may also engender official concerns, such as minor rockslides and falling trees. Consequently, the official personnel engaged in the Brifor operation have been emphatically cautioned to exercise the highest degree of vigilance and care in the discharge of their official duties.
Finally, the Cabildo wish to officially communicate that road closures remain in various areas, and should be rigorously upheld to ensure public safety and to facilitate the unimpeded progression of firefighting operations. Access to the Teide National Park via TF-24 (La Esperanza) and TF-21 (La Orotava) officially remains restricted. The official closure of TF-523 (Subida Los Loros) remains firmly in effect.
To facilitate the public's continued access to the Teide National Park, the authorities have officially repositioned the boundary of access from the south to Portillo Alto, thereby enabling access to the cable car and to the restaurants in the vicinity.
