Tenerife fire stabilised after calm night with no flare-ups
Emergency services and firefighting teams in Tenerife are breathing a cautious sigh of relief this Tuesday morning, after a "quiet night" with no flare-ups at the site of a wildfire in the Los Partidos de Franquis area, in the municipality of El Tanque.
The fire, which began around 2:00pm yesterday, Monday, has affected an estimated 60 to 70 hectares of land, mostly scrub and broom. Importantly, there has been no significant damage to pine forest areas, according to Rosa Dávila, president of the Tenerife Cabildo.
Fire Stabilised by Late Monday
Thanks to intensive work on the ground and in the air, the fire was stabilised by 9:00pm last night. A firefighting team of 60 personnel remained in place overnight to monitor the perimeter and prevent reignition.
There were preventative evacuations of around 50 residents, although local census figures indicate that up to 150 people live in the affected zone. Livestock and pets were also relocated for safety and are currently being housed at the Arguayo football field.
Aerial and Ground Response
The firefighting operation involved a large-scale deployment both by land and air. A total of eight aircraft were used:
- 2 helicopters from the Cabildo
- 2 from the Spanish Government
- 3 from the Canary Islands Government, including EIRIF and emergency response teams
- 1 Air Tractor aircraft, used for dropping water and fire retardant (note: it is not a seaplane, but operates from the ground)
On the ground, 75 personnel were deployed, including environmental technicians, agents, high-mobility tactical vehicles, and four units from the Tenerife Fire Consortium. Volunteer firefighters also played a key role, adding 10 more professionals to the operation.
Investigation Underway
While arson has not been ruled out, the current working theory is that the fire was likely caused by negligence or carelessness. A formal investigation is ongoing, led by three officers specialising in wildfire causes.
Island President Rosa Dávila has urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid any activities that could ignite a fire, especially during the current heatwave.
Blanca Pérez, the Island Councillor for the Natural Environment, noted that high temperatures remain a challenge, although winds are expected to ease today, giving crews a better chance to continue consolidation work.
With the wildfire stabilised but conditions still risky, the Island Council continues to coordinate all available resources to ensure full control is achieved in the coming hours.
Tourists and residents are advised to stay clear of forested areas and comply with all fire prevention measures, particularly in zones over 400 metres in altitude, where a forest fire alert remains in effect across Tenerife and neighbouring islands.
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