The forest fire that has affected since last Thursday some 2,700 hectares in the north of Tenerifeand that is not yet controlled, can harm more than twenty species of vertebrates and nine habitats of high ecological valueaccording to the SEO/BirdLife organization.
Among the spaces of high ecological value are the Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) Mountains and summit of Tenerife, the Corona Forestal Natural Park and Protected Landscape of Campeches, Tigaiga and Ruiz.
The fire has also penetrated the southern part of La Fortaleza in the Teide National Park and has reached the Important Area for the Conservation of Birds and Biodiversity (IBA) Ladera de Tigaiga.
According to SEO/BirdLife, the most affected part is the front of the Tigaiga and Chanajiga slopes, while the part that entered the Teide National Park has stopped when it reaches the high mountain scrub area in transition with the pine forest, and it seems that progress here is very slow.
Despite this, it seems to have affected some Canarian cedars, in a sector of high ecological value.
The most recent evolution has included areas of monteverde and mixed pine forest, habitat par excellence of the two endemic pigeons, the turqué, cataloged as “Almost threatened” and the rabiche as “Vulnerable”, details the environmental organization.
Many other forest birds, such as the Canary Tit, Canary Chiffchaff, Simple Wren and Chaffinch are also affected.
SEO/BirdLife has called on those responsible for the management of the territory, autonomous communities, the support services of the Government of Spain and the councils and municipalities, to implement urgent prevention measures that are adjusted to the new climatic reality.
Climate change is extending the period in which, due to high temperatures, droughts, storms and winds, the risk of fires becomes critical, warns the NGO.
“It is necessary to adapt the policies and resources destined to develop preventive tasks that prevent fires from occurring and that if they do, they do not develop with such virulence,” defends SEO / BirdLife.
