SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Aug. 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife, through the Ministry of Natural Environment and Emergencies, has decided to close the access roads to the Teide National Park, as well as the forest trails due to the episode of high temperatures that will affect the entire Canary Islands. This decision also affects the pilgrimage to Candelaria, which can only be done on the TF-28.
The Councilor for the Natural Environment and Emergencies of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Blanca Pérez, stated this during the press conference in which the security device for the pilgrimage was presented on the occasion of the Festivities of the Virgin of La Candelaria, and in which she has been accompanied by the insular director of Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín, as well as the mayoress of Candelaria, Mari Brito, and the Councilor for Security and Emergencies, Francisco Alonso.
Pérez has explained, as reported by the Cabildo in a press release, that Tenerife is facing an adverse meteorological phenomenon in the form of a “very intense heat wave and that it will be sustained over time at least until next Tuesday (August 15). “, which he pointed out entails an “extreme risk of forest fire, coinciding, in addition, with the development of a large number of recreational, festive and leisure activities” on the island during the next few days (observation of the Perseids, festivals and pilgrimage to Candelaria ), which will bring together a large number of people.
“This year we will not be able to allow the ascent to Teide to see the Perseids for strictly security reasons, because there are no guarantees that, in the event of an incident, we will be able to guarantee the safety of visitors and a traffic jam would be an obstacle. for forest firefighting teams,” he added.
For this reason, it has asked the public for understanding, as well as that all recommendations be followed through official channels, since the Cabildo has preventively activated the Insular Emergency Plan (PEIN), in a situation of Maximum Alert, adopting preventive measures extraordinary grade 3 forest fires that can be consulted on the website of the Cabildo de Tenerife (www.tenerife.es).
ACCESS TO TEIDE
Regarding access to Teide, the cuts will affect the island roads that connect with the Teide National Park from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on August 11-12 and 12-13. of 2023.
These cuts will occur on the TF-24 highway, kilometer point (kp) 23+500, at the height of the Arafo junction; TF-21, km 16+500, at the height of the Caldera de Aguamansa on the North slope; TF-21, km 66+800, near Vilaflor on the southern slope; TF-38 highway, on the Chío ascent, km 12+500.
A blockade of the TF-24 highway is also established, at pk 9+00, to avoid the traffic of vehicles from the nucleus of La Esperanza.
CANDLEMAS DAY
Regarding the device of the Cabildo de Tenerife and the Candelaria City Council for the days 14 and 15 of August on the occasion of the municipal festivities, it will be made up of more than 400 troops, in addition to the means and resources of the island institution (Protection Civil, Staff of the forest fire prevention and extinction operation, road staff, TITSA, Tenerife Fire Consortium).
To them will be added other media and resources belonging to different volunteer entities (Red Cross, AEA), as well as civil protection and police officers from the municipalities of: Los Realejos, La Orotava, Santa Úrsula, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria , El Sauzal, Tacoronte, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, El Rosario, Arafo and Güímar.
All this, they indicated, will also be coordinated with the CECOES 112 of the Government of the Canary Islands, as well as with the participation of the State Security Forces and Corps.
In relation to this device, the Councilor for Emergencies of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Blanca Pérez, highlighted that it is preventive and will work fundamentally to prevent the transit of pilgrims through the forest area of the island (paths and tracks), where there is an express prohibition of said activity in light of the Maximum Alert situation due to forest fires.
He added that it is offered as an alternative and, “providing total security”, the officially authorized road to carry out the pilgrimage, which is the southern general carriage (TF-28), which will remain closed to traffic in the section between El Tablero and Caletillas from 6:00 p.m. on the 14th until the early hours of the morning on the 15th, coinciding with the passage of the Athletic March and floral offering to the Virgin.
For her part, the mayoress of Candelaria, Mari Brito, stressed that it is “primary to guarantee the safety” of the pilgrims and urged them to follow the recommendations and use public transport with Titsa and with the transport itself at the Demand of the municipality that will have services specials.
Specifically, the Candelaria Urban Demand Transport will provide a free service from the bus station, on Rambla de Los Menceyes, to Plaza de Teror on Monday, August 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and on Tuesday 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. hours.
All lines will provide their usual service on Monday, August 14, as well as Tuesday, August 15, with lines 1 and 2 being the usual morning and afternoon hours. Line 6 will offer service until 2:00 p.m.
