The Department of Citizen Security and Emergency Services of the Municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has established the regulations that must be followed for the San Juan bonfires on the upcoming 23rd of June, as well as for the bonfires in honour of San Pedro on the 28th of June.
The local government has specified important aspects such as the selection of bonfire locations, prohibited materials, dimensions, and other safety standards to minimise risks to individuals and public/private properties.
Councillor for Security and Emergencies, Gladis de León, emphasised the necessity of abiding by these safety measures “for the greater good of all. Even though we will have additional emergency services on that day, including the Local Police, Firefighters Consortium, and Civil Protection, the primary responsibility for the smooth running lies with those organising the bonfire celebrations.” The councillor highlighted that “it is crucial for citizens to notify in advance their intention to build a bonfire to enable a preliminary risk assessment,” she concluded.
In Tenerife’s capital, preparations have commenced with the inspection and identification of areas where materials are accumulating for the event, or where bonfires are already being constructed. These assessments are conducted by technicians and volunteers from the municipal Civil Protection. Subsequently, the Cecopal Transmission Center compiles a bonfire map containing essential information on location, risks, and compliance with the established decree. Moreover, a preliminary risk evaluation is conducted for certain bonfires that, due to their size, location, or materials, may pose a hazard once ignited.
One of the key preventive measures for the local council is for individuals intending to partake in the bonfire festivities to provide advance notice through the municipal website. The link for such communication is: Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council: Bonfires
Other Considerations:
Bonfires are prohibited on public roads or spaces, parks, gardens, ravines, and beaches. For safety reasons, it is essential to ensure a minimum distance of 20 meters from buildings, roads, electrical or telephone lines, and parked vehicles. Additionally, a distance of approximately 50 meters between bonfires is recommended. In cases of proximity to high-risk facilities, such as gas stations or warehouses storing flammable materials, this distance should be doubled.
The maximum bonfire height is three meters with a diameter limit of five meters to anticipate potential effects on nearby individuals or properties. The flame should not exceed 12 meters with these dimensions. Environmental protection is equally crucial, necessitating the exclusion of flammable or explosive materials, tires, appliances, or similar items. Prior cleaning around the bonfire is imperative to prevent uncontrolled fire spread due to weather changes.
A water source or collection point must be available for extinguishing or controlling the bonfire, using hoses, buckets, or fire extinguishers if possible. Those responsible for the bonfire should remain on site until complete extinguishment. Citizens should bear in mind that any weather changes before the event may alter the safety conditions, especially in cases of high temperatures or strong winds.
All information regarding the San Juan bonfires in the city will be shared from the Operational Coordination Center of the Municipality (Cecopal) with the Local Police, Firefighters Consortium of Tenerife, Natural Environment Unit (UMEN), and the 1-1-2 Security and Emergency Coordination Center (Cecoes) of the Canary Islands Government.
