SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 8th April. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has issued an alert due to the danger of forest fires in Gran Canaria and the entire western province. The alert will go into effect in Gran Canaria at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, and in the rest of the region, it will start at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
This decision has been taken based on available information and in compliance with Decree 60/2014, dated 29th May, which endorses the Special Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Response to Forest Fires of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (INFOCA).
Specifically, the alert will impact the islands of El Hierro, La Gomera above 400 meters, La Palma, Tenerife in a designated risk zone by the Island Council (excluding the area affected by the Arafo forest fire, which remains in an Emergency Situation), and Gran Canaria above 400 meters.
This alert has been declared following the arrival of warm and dry continental African air, accompanied by varying levels of haze. An episode of unusually high temperatures for this time of year is expected. The temperature inversion is predicted to persist but at an altitude lower than 400 meters for several days, with humidity levels expected to be below 30% at higher altitudes. Temperatures will increase from Tuesday onwards, with a sharp rise anticipated between Wednesday and Thursday. The average temperature rise in forested areas could exceed ten degrees, and by Thursday, maximum daytime temperatures are likely to reach or exceed 30-32 degrees.
Additionally, there will be variable winds in direction and intensity in midlands and high areas during this period. This situation exacerbates the meteorological drought and rainfall deficit, particularly on the southern and western slopes of the islands. The impact will initially be felt in Gran Canaria, where the alert will be in effect from 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and will extend to the other islands throughout Wednesday, with the alert starting at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
PRE-ALERT FOR ADVERSE COASTAL PHENOMENA
Furthermore, the General Directorate of Emergencies, guided by Aemet’s predictions and other available sources, and in compliance with the Canary Islands’ Specific Emergency Plan for Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena PEFMA, has announced a pre-alert for coastal phenomena across all islands starting at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday.
Adverse sea conditions are expected, with northeast winds reaching force 6 to 7 (39 to 61 kilometres per hour), with some areas experiencing force 8 winds (62 to 74 kilometres per hour). Strong rough seas and swells are anticipated from the north and northeast on Tuesday afternoon, with waves reaching heights of one to 2.5 meters and a combined sea swell and waves of two to four meters.
