SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, July 8. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Cabildo de La Gomera has asked the population to exercise extreme caution, avoiding any action that could trigger a fire, given the alert situation due to maximum temperatures and the maximum alert situation due to the risk of forest fires that it has decreed, as of today Friday, the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands.
The observations of the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies associated with the alert for maximum temperatures predict an episode of high temperatures accompanied by haze, with the southern and western areas of La Gomera experiencing the highest incidence of heat.
Likewise, and in relation to the maximum alert for the risk of forest fires, in association with the heat episode, temperatures of 32 to 38 degrees are expected, and probable local values that will reach or exceed 40 degrees. To this will be added the situation of very dry and warm air, especially in the middle, high areas and summits, with a relative humidity below 30% above 300 meters of altitude. In the case of the wind, this will be from the northwest, occasionally strong in more exposed areas, reaching gusts of more than 70 km/h.
From the Emergency and Civil Protection Area of the Insular Institution, the prohibition of making fires in risk areas and recreational areas near the mountain is recalled, as well as the use of brush cutters, chainsaws, welding groups or grinders. In addition, there is an insistence on avoiding transit through mountain areas and the use of tracks, forest accesses and trails far from the dorsal road. In this way, it is remembered to make use of the rubber routes avoiding actions that may cause any type of risk.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE POPULATION
The population is recommended to follow the advice established by the Directorate of Security and Emergencies, both for the alert for maximum temperatures, and for the risk of fires. Likewise, citizens are reminded that in the event of any risk situation, they should contact the emergency service, through 1-1-2.
Since last June 14, the island institution has been carrying out the annual firefighting campaign, with more than 200 troops and an investment of 1.4 million euros.
To the operation, made up of personnel from the Cabildo, National Park and EIRIF, are added twenty fire-fighting vehicles and two aerial means: a multifunctional helicopter based in the Cristóbal Colón military barracks in San Sebastián de La Gomera, and an Air Tractor plane of cargo on land located in the insular airport provided by the State. In addition, the cooperation of voluntary associations.
