Fire In North West Tenerife- Santiago Del Teide Town Evacuated

Helicopter water bombs fire as it draws close to inhabited areas

In a 1pm press conference President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Ricardo Melchior, told reporters that the fire, which started near Ruigomez in the North West of Tenerife yesterday evening, has now an active front at La Charca spanning 6km affecting 90 hectares.

He confirmed that the village of Erjos has been saved and no property has been damaged.

Officials are calling for calm and pleading with the public to stay away from the mountainous areas of the island, particularly those people who might have been expected to walk the various pilgrims routes through the countryside towards La Candelaria.

Update 2pm.

• Guardia Civil  report the TF-436 is closed from the Las Portelas exit to Masca and el Mesón del Norte and from Santiago del Teide to Erjos.
• The Red Cross have prepared an Evacuation centre in Buenavista del Norte for those dislodged from their homes.

Update 4pm

• Inhabitants of Masca, Los Carrizales and Las Portelas evcuated
• Fire outbreak near the North airport at Tacoronte -  A civil defence worker had to be taken to Laguna San Benito suffering from injuries received fighting the  fire at Aguagarcía.
• Helicopters fighting another fire near the north airport now relocated to aid with the El Tanque fire which is heading towards Valle Arriba.

Update 6pm

• Valle de Arriba Evacuated and without power.
• Third Hydroplane requested, (two already active in La Gomera fire) expected to arrive this evening.
• Santiago del Teide town evacuated as a precautionary measure. Town without power.