The Forest fire that was declared last Thursday in Los Campeches continues in a stabilization phase, although it is not yet controlled. Given its evolution in the last few hours, the authorities agreed that most of the 585 residents who were evacuated as a precautionary measure in various neighborhoods of Los Realejos and La Orotava can return to their homes.
However, there are still some 30 homes in Los Realejos that will continue to be evicted, those that are closer to the slopes of Tigaiga and Chanajiga -includes the area of Camino del Madroño and Los Carozos- bearing in mind that there are some hot spots that could be reactivate if the safety conditions are not met. Today his situation will be studied again, by staying within the security perimeter of 1,500 meters. The access roads to the nuclei where the return is not allowed will be guarded by the security forces.
The General Directorate of Security and Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands pointed out that, due to the fact that the area affected by the fire has not increased, that in the proximity of the limit zone of the Tigaiga hillside it has not advanced in the last few hours, and the established control lines are effective, it was agreed to decree the end of the evacuation of Camino Orégano, in La Orotava, and Las Arenitas and Cruz del Castaño streets, in Los Realejos.
In addition, the execution of technical fire control maneuvers that could generate risk situations is not foreseen, so the evacuation order is lifted in the aforementioned streets.
The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Pedro Martín, pointed out that “we hope that with the precise work and delimitation, the return of the neighbors can begin with tranquility.” For practical purposes, “the protection distance will be 1,400 or 1,500 meters from the hot spots that still exist on the slopes of Tigaiga, but that will allow a significant part of the evicted to return to their homes,” he added.
Martin reiterated that this has been “a consensual measure” between the regional government, the Cabildo and the municipalities, which “determined how far we can go, and we have all sought this solution that seems more reasonable to us.”
The Realejero Consistory requested a “progressive and orderly return” to the residents of Los Tres Pinos, Hoya Farráis, Cruz del Castaño, Las Arenitas, Hoya de Pablo and Lomo de La Viuda streets. The return of those families staying in hotels in Los Realejos and Puerto de la Cruz that do not have a means of transport with taxi services was coordinated, and dependent or bedridden people returned with health services. Owners of pets and/or livestock can return with them. They went to Las Llanadas to coordinate their return.
