The number of evicted people drops to 12,679, below the 26,000 estimated this afternoon based on the census
The positive side is that the southern strip is stable, although the northern area is concerned
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Aug. 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The forest fire that began on the night of August 15 on Mount Arafo, on the island of Tenerife, has affected 8,400 hectares, while at night it is “complicated” especially in the north due to a wind that, among other things, it could lead to reactivations.
This was revealed this Saturday during the press conference at 10:00 p.m. to update the information on the evolution of the fire, where it was added that the perimeter covers about 70 kilometers throughout eleven municipalities. For its part, the initial potential of the fire is 21,000 hectares, although it is expected to leave it at a figure similar to the current one.
As for the evicted residents, there are some 12,679 people -below the 26,000 people that had been estimated this afternoon based on the official census- after the evacuations that have taken place since last night in the upper part of the municipalities of La Orotava, La Matanza, La Victoria, El Sauzal, Santa Úrsula and Los Realejos.
The last of them took place late this afternoon in the recreational area of Las Lagunetas; and in the nuclei located within the area with the northern limit of the Camino Real Orotava, from the TM of El Sauzal, continuing along the TF-226 Highway to San Cristóbal de La Laguna; the western limit of El Sauzal; the Eastern Limit of San Cristóbal de La Laguna; and the southern limit the mountain.
Of the total number of evacuees, 1,425 residents have decided to take advantage of the services offered to spend the night.
A “COMPLICATED” NIGHT IS EXPECTED
The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, recalled that last night was already “very complicated” and that tonight “is equally or more complicated.”
“There are two priorities,” he said, “one in the northeast, in the Montaña del Cerro and Cho Marcial, where it has been possible to work with an operative that, as soon as it is contained, can be diverted to the great front, which is in the northern part, in La Orotava, where winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour can make people have a bad time and play tricks”.
THE SOUTH FRINGE IS STABLE
Clavijo explained that the good news is that the entire southern fringe is stable thanks to the works and the discharge of water from the extinction resources.
Meanwhile, about 20% of the northern part has been able to stabilize, “but it is a very steep area and last night and the winds have caused it to reactivate”, for which reason he called for caution.
“The potential of this fire is enormous and it has only been possible to contain it thanks to the enormous work of the firefighting services,” said the president, who recalled that special work will be done to safeguard people’s lives and so that the flames do not affect to the houses.
“DEVASTATING” FIRE
Meanwhile, the president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, has placed special emphasis on the fact that a “devastating” fire is affecting the forest area, while announcing the incorporation of more technicians in the fight against the flames.
“We are facing a very long and very hard night and for this reason work has been done to evacuate the entire area close to the forest mass and the interface zone,” he explained.
