The fire in La Gomera which has been burning for 8 days and which has destroyed over 3,600 hecatres of land is now threatening the inhabitants of Valle Gran Rey.
The Canarian Government issued an evacuation order just after midnight and the inhabitants have been making their way down to the port where life boats have taken off those with reduced mobility.
By 2am this morning some 3,000 people were gathered in the Las Vueltas port.
Over 600 people were taken to San Sebastian in a Fred Olsen Ferry around 4am and a further 300 followed on the Naviera Armas ferry .
The evacuation by sea was voluntary and some people may remain in the port area if they so wish.
The evacuation has been orderly and without incident although 11 people have been taken to hospital suffering from anxiety symptoms.
Mobile phone coverage is not working so people should not worry unduly if they cannot get in touch with their loved ones.
Update 12.30
Vallehermoso is now being evacuated as the fire has reached the mouths of the ravines and is near population centres in the upper part of that county.
The northern flank of the fire is currently the most active.
4,126 hectares of land have now been affected by the wildfire and authorities do not foresee it being brought under control any time soon.
7 helicopters and 3 hydroplanes are active in the fire-fighting efforts a 4th hydroplane should arrive by 1.30 today and a 5th is expected to arrive sometime tomorrow .
Update 2.30pm
All regular public bus services have been suspended, in order to make the vehicles and their drivers available to the Fire Coordination Centre.
The seriousness of the situation has now involved the evacuation of one quarter of the island’s population from their homes.
Temperaturas of between 30-38c and winds of up to 40 km/h.are hampering fire- fighting efforts.
A Fred Olsen Ferry left Tenerife at 2pm carrying more members of the Guardia Civil, Canarian Emergency Services and members of CECOPIN (Centro de Coordinación Operativa Insular ) to help with the fire fighting efforts in La Gomera.
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