SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, July 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The forest fire declared at dawn last Saturday in the municipality of Puntagorda, on the island of La Palma, continues to be active on the southern flank, in the Jieque ravine, and in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, while It has been considered stabilized on the north flank, in the area of El Reventón.
This was reported by the Minister of the Presidency, Public Administrations and Security of the Government of the Canary Islands, Nieves Lady Barreto, who appeared at a press conference together with the Minister of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, Manuel Miranda; the president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez; and the lieutenant colonel of the UME, Alberto Gallego.
Nieves Lady Barreto has detailed that the north flank of the fire remains without active flames and for this reason it has been considered stabilized. However, he commented that the fronts of the Jieque ravine and La Caldera are still active, which is resulting in a “complicated” fire but with a “very favorable” evolution thanks to the work that has been carried out throughout the day, despite the difficult conditions caused by the large amount of smoke.
The counselor has also indicated that assessments of the damage have already begun in the municipalities affected by the fire, both in public and private buildings, and basic services such as the supply of water and electricity have been replaced. Thus, according to the first assessments, in Puntagorda 25 affected properties have been recorded and in Tijarafe 35 properties, 9 of them homes.
For his part, the Minister of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, Manuel Miranda, reported that tonight 131 ground troops will work to control the fire, which are: 40 Environment personnel from the Cabildo de La Palma, 10 EIRIF from the Government from the Canary Islands, 18 members of the BRIF Tineo (Asturias), another 18 from the BRIF La Palma, 40 members of the UME, 2 firefighters from the Cabildo de La Palma and 3 members of the Red Cross -a nurse and two rescuers-. There will also be 6 members of the General Corps of the Canary Islands Police, 9 of the Civil Guard, 8 of the Local Police, 7 of the Red Cross and about 15 volunteers as security means for tonight.
Manuel Miranda explained that the operation tonight will consist of the control of the Jieque ravine and the Garome ravine, while the BRIF Tineo will carry out surveillance and control work in La Caldera de Taburiente.
Every Wednesday morning, nine aircraft will be operating -including helicopters and seaplanes-, coordinated by the Civil Guard helicopter, and 225 ground troops: 40 Environment troops from the Cabildo de La Palma, 30 EIRIF from the Government of the Canary Islands, 36 from the Tineo BRIF, 36 from the La Palma BRIF, 40 from the UME and 2 firefighters from the Cabildo de La Palma, while the Red Cross Immediate Response Team (ERIE) will provide support to the units that are within the La Caldera area. Tomorrow there will also be 20 Canarian Police officers, 22 civil guards, 10 local police officers and 11 Red Cross members.
MOBILE AIR QUALITY STATION.
The counselor specified that the work that will be carried out tomorrow will depend on how the fire evolves throughout the night and also announced that tomorrow there will be a mobile air quality station that will be operational in Los Llanos, due to smoke contamination. that has affected the different populations of the Aridane Valley.
The lieutenant colonel of the UME, Alberto Gallego, commented for his part that the main efforts are being made on the southern flank, where control lines have been established where surveillance work will be carried out at night, direct attack on possible sources that may arise and refreshment to prevent the fire from exceeding said lines.
Finally, the president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, reported that there are no longer people staying in any of the shelters nor animals. In addition, the return of all the residents of Puntagorda and Tijarafe has been restored, except for the upper part of the Jesús neighborhood from the Los Jimenos junction to Cruz del Llano and the area of the Hacienda del Cura also remains evacuated.
As for the roads, the LP-1 is already open without restrictions and the climb to Los Brecitos (LP-214) remains closed. The trails also remain open, with the exception of those located in the municipalities affected by the fire.
