The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has declared the end of the evacuation in various areas of the municipalities of El Rosario, El Sauzal, La Matanza, La Victoria, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava and Los Realejos, meaning that 75% of the people, affected by the fire in Tenerife can return to their homes.
Despite the favourable evolution of the fire that allows us to glimpse the light at the end of the dark tunnel that the forest fire, declared a week ago, has left us, the fire has not been controlled, is still burning, and huge columns of smoke can be seen from several kilometres away, but the spread has now slowed down as the 90km perimeter has been stabilised.
"The situation has improved, but the fire is still active", confirmed the president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, who wanted to send a message of calm to the evacuees, so that they follow the instructions of the official authorities whilst returning home, without blocking roads or obstructing troops working in the field.
The Izaña perimeter was controlled yesterday and work will continue in La Orotava tonight, especially on the line between Aguamansa and Chanajiga, where the decision was made to turn extinguish the hundreds of hot spots one by one that were quickly reigniting.
An octogenarian is arrested for throwing rocks at the Brifor helicopter.
The man arrested this morning by the Civil Guard for throwing rocks at a firefighting helicopter, which had to make an emergency landing, is an 80-year-old man from the area of La Montañeta, in Güímar.
This man claims that he threw the rocks at the helicopter, which is owned by the Tenerife Cabildo, because it was preparing to load water from a reservoir on his property.
The Official College of Commercial Aviation Pilots (COPAC) has released a statement condemning the attack on the helicopter, saying it is intolerable behaviour, since it directly affects the safety of operations and pilots and has caused damage to the aircraft, for which reason he must be sanctioned in accordance with the Aviation Safety Law.
Police say that he could be charged with attempted murder as only the skill of the pilot prevented the incident from being a tragedy.
