SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 11th April. (EUROPE PRESS) –
Tenerife’s Cabildo is keeping a close watch on the southeast coast of the island following the sea damage caused in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Despite the Canary Islands Government calling off the alert for coastal flooding and wind at 10:00 a.m. today, Thursday, the Island’s Corporation is continuing its monitoring as a precautionary measure. The evacuated homes from yesterday have been allowed to return in the municipalities. Therefore, in Candelaria and Güímar, 5 and 70 residences have been given permission to return, respectively.
In Arico, 60 houses were evacuated, and today all of them have been allowed to return, except for 14 properties located on the frontline of Las Maretas and 5 homes in Las Arenas. A technical evaluation is pending in both instances to authorize the return. All residents from these houses have been temporarily accommodated with relatives or in other dwellings. There is only one person from Las Arenas still being relocated.
Yesterday, the Cabildo activated the Tenerife Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) due to the alert declaration for coastal flooding and forest fire risk issued by the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government. Furthermore, alerts were in place for high temperatures, wind, and pre-alerts for haze and coastal phenomena. Today, the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government has lifted the alert for coastal flooding and wind risk. However, alerts for forest fire risk, high temperatures, and pre-alerts for haze are still active.
Since yesterday, teams from Tenerife Firefighters Consortium, Local Police units from Candelaria, Arafo, Güímar, and Arico, the Canarian Police, Civil Guard personnel, and 112 emergency services from the Government of the Canary Islands, as well as Canary Islands Government Security and Emergency personnel from the Cabildo de Tenerife have been on duty. Additionally, Civil Protection units from La Orotava, Granadilla, La Laguna, Santa Úrsula, El Rosario, Garachico, La Matanza, Tacoronte, Candelaria, Arafo, Güímar, and Arico have also been involved in the operations. Assistance was provided by QRV Canarias Emergencies, Anaga Emergency Aid, Association for Development and Emergency Actions (ADAE), and Tamadaya Emergencies.
The Cabildo of Tenerife reminds the public that during coastal events or flood risks, individuals should avoid standing at the edge of docks or breakwaters where waves crash, refrain from taking photographs or videos on the coastline where waves break, avoid driving on roads near the beach during high tides, and steer clear of engaging in sports or recreational activities near the coast.
IMMINENT FOREST FIRE HAZARD
Since Wednesday, the Cabildo has enforced grade 2 preventive measures against forest fires, prohibiting outdoor fires such as barbecues, bonfires, stoves, or gas stoves. The use of any machinery or tools capable of emitting sparks (brush cutters, welding equipment, or radial cutters) has been suspended, and the use of any pyrotechnic materials in risky zones is forbidden. Additionally, the circulation of motor vehicles on forest trails for leisure purposes and stays in recreational areas, camping sites, and campsites are not allowed. Sporting events and excursions on forest and off-road trails are also banned.
This decision is based on forecasts by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and other sources regarding the influx of continental African air affecting the island, leading to a significant rise in temperatures to summer levels – up to 34ºC. This has resulted in decreased humidity and the arrival of haze.
The Cabildo advises the population to refrain from accessing or staying in forested areas, take extreme precautions with any activity that could spark fires, and implement self-protection measures against heat and haze.
