“Today is a day to consolidate hope”

The forecast of control of the forest fire in Los Realejos, in the north of Tenerife, is “good”, after a night with few hot spots, concentrated on the slope of Tigaiga. This was announced this Wednesday by the Emergency Minister of the Government of the Canary Islands, Julio Pérez, within the framework of the press conference that takes place daily to report on the evolution of the fire that began last Thursday, July 21, in the area known as Los Campeches.

Pérez highlighted in his speech that “today is a day to consolidate hope”. Thus, if the favorable situation continues, the withdrawal of resources and the opening of roads will begin. Specifically, the road that goes from La Orotava to Portillo may be opened, as well as other roads that are still closed, all depending on how the day goes, the counselor has detailed.

This afternoon it will also be assessed whether the security conditions exist for the relocation of the residents of El Madroño, who were advised against returning to their homes the previous day. Meanwhile, the firefighting teams continue surveillance around the perimeter to prevent reactivations.

Depending on how the fire evolves during the day, this afternoon it could go to level 1 and return to the direction of the Cabildo de Tenerife.

The deputy director of Civil Protection and Emergency Attention of the Government of the Canary Islands, Maite Moreno, explained that the focus of attention is on the slope of Tigaiga, while she has advanced that this noon will be when the rehousing of the people evacuated, depending on how the morning goes.

In reference to the weather forecast scheduled for today, it is expected that the warm mass will stop penetrating the Canary Islands, where the trade wind regime will return this afternoon, he specified.

Pedro Martínez, firefighting director, has clarified that the highest part of Tigaiga, which is constantly monitored, hardly has any active outbreaks and the one that worries the most is another that is above the evacuated area, where work will continue with aerial media.

The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Pedro Martín, has detailed that it is expected at noon to decide if the evacuated families will be able to return to their homes, located in the closest area “which, within the tranquility, worries more”. He has indicated that there are still a few days to consider the fire under control and has confirmed that tonight it will be decided if the fire goes to level 1.

Regarding the reason for the fire, the counselor has indicated that it is “quite likely that it is not accidental”, although it is a “strictly police mission” in which the Civil Guard and the National Police work.

He has advocated emphasizing not only punishment but also promoting the habit of keeping the surroundings of the houses clean and not having abandoned farms, since it is “fuel and grass for the flames.”