WILDFIRE ALERT: Firefighters respond to blaze in the southwest of Tenerife
The emergency services are currently responding to a small wildfire that broke out this afternoon (Monday) in the Vergara canal area, located within the municipality of Santiago del Teide in the southwest of Tenerife.
The fire, categorised as a “conato” (incipient or contained wildfire), began shortly after 2:00pm, although the exact cause remains unknown at this time, according to reports from the Canary Islands emergency coordination centre (CECOES).
Fire Risk Across the Islands
The incident comes as Tenerife and several neighbouring islands remain on high alert for forest fires. The Canary Islands Government has activated an official alert status due to elevated temperatures and dry conditions, particularly in areas above 400 metres on all slopes of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Gran Canaria.
Coordinated Emergency Response
Responders currently working at the scene include teams of firefighters, rural forest guards, the Guardia Civil, and the Local Police. They are aiming to contain the fire before it can escalate, especially given the heightened risk of wildfires across the archipelago.
Residents and visitors are reminded to exercise extreme caution in forested or rural areas, where activities such as lighting barbecues or using machinery that could cause sparks are strictly prohibited under current restrictions.
Current conditions are known as the Three 30s, which encourage wildfires:
· Temperatures above 30°C.
· Humidity less than 30%.
· Winds above 30 km/h.
Share:
