The Canary Islands Government in compliance with the Special Plan for Civil Protection and Attention to Emergencies due to Forest Fires (INFOCA) has declared the Arico forest fire a level 1 emergency situation this afternoon due to the rapid spread of the fire, following the request by the Tenerife Cabildo.
The fire is located in the forest near the Chajaña ravine, in the upper area of El Bueno, but is moving to the west towards the summit.
Two air resources of the Canary Islands Government have been activated, a helicopter from El Hierro and troops from the Forest Brigades of Tenerife (BRIFOR) have been mobilized to try and control the fire. The Fire-fighters are also collaborating with an all territory truck from San Miguel and another from Santa Cruz.
These will soon be joined by the amphibious seaplane belonging to the 43rd Air Force Group, which has been practicing over the weekend. The aircraft is in Agaete and has already left for Tenerife to join the fight against the fire. About thirty people are working in this fire, according to data from the Cabildo de Tenerife.
The meteorological conditions of 25º Celsius, wind of 30 km/h from the north and relative humidity of 13%, are hampering the efforts of the emergency services.
It is feared that the fire "will spread very quickly and could reach the Teide National Park", so the Cabildo is asking the population not to travel through the forest areas between Arico and Vilaflor, and to suspend all activities in nature programmed between these municipalities.
The Director of the Teide National Park, Manuel Durbán, has said he fears that the fire will spread very quickly and reach the Park. He says that the brush is very dry and that the fire could affect small and threatened species.
