Around 400 inhabitants of Valle de Arriba and Santiago del Teide town have been evacuated this afternoon as a precautionary measure because of the spread of the Forest Fire that started in El Tanque yesterday and which has now reached the Erjos pass.
Santiago Mayor Juan Gorrín said fire fighting forces were concentrating on the TF-82 waiting for the fire, in order to to prevent it reaching the pines in the valley.
The evacuees are being transferred to the Pancracio Socas García, sports centre in Puerto de Santiago, where they will most likely spend the night.
The Mayor says he fears a repeat of the 2007 fires when the flames were just a few metres away from the town.
Forces include 2 helicopters and voluntary fire-fighters who are working in over 35 degrees of heat.
Update 7pm
Mobile phone cover out in Tanque, Buenavista, Santiago and Guía de Isora over 2,000 people evacuated from their homes in Buenavista and Santiago del Teide counties as a precaution.
Update 8pm
Jose Valbuena Alonso confirmed in a Cabildo press conference that the Tacaronte fire which has affected 18 hectares was brought under control, although not extinguished around 6.45 pm.
Firefighters are still dousing various areas to avoid a re-start of the fire and work will continue to stop the advance towards Santiago del Teide.
More than 1,200 are working on putting out the fire which has a perimeter of 11 km.
Fire-fighters are now concerned with the Monte del Agua flank of the fire .
The TF82 from Icod to Santiago del Teide and the access to Masca together with the TF373 at San José Llanos remain closed to the public.
Inhabitants of Punto Teno have been evacuated as a precaution.
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