SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 23 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
An extraordinary summit was held by the Tenerife Island Council today, Tuesday, to defend the mountains of the island and take a stand against arsonists. The summit brought together key figures from the political, security, justice, and environmental protection sectors of various administrations.
Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo, along with Government’s subdelegate, Javier Plata, stated that the participants at the summit collaborated to establish effective strategies to tackle the threat of forest fires and to coordinate all related actions. Dávila highlighted, “This is the first instance where an institution in the Canary Islands has organized a meeting involving virtually all stakeholders in the fight against fires, and I appreciate their presence.”
Dávila emphasised the significance of this summit as a vital initiative to preserve the island’s mountains and ensure the safety of all individuals. She stressed the need to unite forces and take decisive action against those who endanger our natural heritage and lives. She added, “The unity and coordination showcased by everyone demonstrate an unwavering dedication to safeguarding Tenerife.”
The president of the Cabildo reiterated the Justice system’s commitment to combatting fires, underscoring the importance of rigorously enforcing laws against arsonists and the need for deterrent punishments to prevent such crimes. She stated, “It is clear that combating arsonists requires a coordinated and continuous effort involving all levels of government and civil society.”
Dávila expressed gratitude to all the participating administrations and entities for their extraordinary efforts, mentioning the importance of enhancing inter-institutional coordination and investing in advanced technologies for early fire detection and suppression, as well as conducting awareness campaigns directed at the public. She noted that a new measure has been introduced to prohibit smoking in recreational areas, trails, and natural spaces prone to fires.
She appealed to citizens to cooperate in fire prevention by following instructions from authorities during fire risks, as 90% of fires are caused by human activity and many are avoidable. Dávila added a stern message to arsonists, stating, “We are closing in on them and, with everyone’s collaboration, we will put an end to them.”
Javier Plata affirmed their full readiness with all State resources to address this issue affecting everyone. He stressed the importance of identifying these offenders and taking decisive action against them following the appropriate procedures to ensure a fair judicial process and, if necessary, determine suitable penalties.
Among others present at the meeting were the Captain of Infantry, Alejandro Cruz; the legal commander, María Meirama; representatives from various security and emergency departments, law enforcement agencies, and environmental protection bodies. The commitment of all attendees signified a unified front against the threat of fires in Tenerife.
