Emergency services are currently fighting a huge forest fire on the Canary Island of Tenerife. An area of some 130 hectares of land has already been destroyed and several villages have been evacuated to bring the inhabitants to safety. “The fire has huge potential, we have asked for additional support,” said Rosa Davila, president of the Tenerife City Council.
The wildfire broke out in the natural park around the Teide volcano and has left a shocking record so far. A significant area of forest and countryside was reduced to rubble.
Four villages evacuated
Authorities on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of four villages (Arrate, Chivisaya, Media Montana and Ajafona). “It mainly affects the Corona Forestal (national park), there are many pine trees and forests there,” Rosa Davila reports on local radio. The affected areas are the municipalities of Arafo and Candelaria in the northeast of Tenerife.
Difficult conditions for emergency services
The difficult circumstances are currently making it extra difficult for the emergency services. The forest fire led to the formation of a so-called fire cloud (pyrocumulus), which can be clearly seen on weather radar images.
Such clouds can create strong gusts of wind on the ground, which in certain situations can further fuel the fire.
Fire helicopters fly over the fire area
“It’s a steep area and planes are needed,” explains Davila. Early Wednesday morning, the fire that broke out on Tuesday evening had already destroyed about 130 hectares near Teide, Spain’s highest mountain.
As reported by Canarias Radio, fire helicopters flew over the area.
The Canary Islands have been hit by a heat wave in recent weeks. Rescue services warned that the drought increases the risk of wildfires.
Source: Krone
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