Plume of smoke from the fire in LaOratava taken from El Mayorazgo - cc/ @PrensaTenerife
Two more fires have broken out in Tenerife this afternoon, the first at La Montañeta in La Esperanza which is in El Rosario county, the area above La Laguna and another a little after 5.30 pm on the Arco de Chimoche track just above La Caldera near Aguamansa in La Orotava county .
At La Esperanza ground forces include the Cabildo department of the environment workers, fire-fighters and local police who were joined around 4pm by a helicopter from the Forestry brigade (Brifor).
The La Esperanza fire which covered a perimeter of two hectares and affected mainly orchards, ferns and scrub-land, was stabilised around 4.45pm but one helicopter and ground forces will remain in place to keep damping down the area.
The Aguamansa/La Caldera Fire is the third distinct fire in Tenerife in under 24hours and fire-fighting efforts are now being concentrated in that area including a Briflor and Canararian Government helicopter.
In an attempt to stop copycat fire-starters the Guardia Civil are searching people and vehicles attempting to gain access to mountainous areas whilst the Policía Local from Santa Cruz de Tenerife with the aid of various mountain units are undertaking the same searches on the access roads to the Anaga mountains.
- Update 8pm
- Unconfirmed reports of two more wildfire foci in Güimar county have been proved to be fake. There is no fire in Güimar.
- Paulino Rivero Baute, President of the Government of the Canary Islands spoke to reporters after attending the holy Eucarist and procession at Candelaria. He called for security forces to exercise all possible pressure to try to stop the thugs who are capable of endangering not only our valuable natural heritage, but also people’s lives and property. he confirmed that the unconnected foci of today’s fires in Tenerife makes it almost certain that they were started intentionally.
- The TF 24, which was closed from kilometre 9 to 24 is now re-opened to the public.
While in La Gomera the wildfire which has decimated the Garajonay National Heritage Site rages on in its tenth day.
Security forces say the fire is not advancing significantly, but is still not under control.
Access was opened to Vallehermoso around 4.30pm but the road to Presa Encantadora and access to Los Chapines, Banda de Rosas and Los Loros is still restricted.
Residents of Vallehermoso were allowed to return to the homes they were forced to abandon on Monday, just after 6pm this evening.
- Government Press Conference Update 8pm
- The La Gomera fire has had zero progress over the last few hours and the situation is much improved . Temperatures have dropped considerably and the wind this afternoon was favorable.
The work of the fire-fighters on the ground is crucial to keeping it under control. It will still take days to extinguish the fire.
related stories
- Wildfires In The Canary Islands – Now Los Realejos Affected
- Donations To La Gomera Fire Fund
- La Gomera Fire – Update 2pm
- La Gomera Fire – Some Hope This Morning
- La Gomera Fire – Incalculable Ecological Damage.
- Vallehermoso and Valle Gran Rey Evacuated
- La Gomera Fire Restarts And Out Of Control
- Firestarter Suspect Fast Tracked To Four Months In Prison
- Tenerife Fire Update
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