SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 14 August (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, has conveyed her “profound” appreciation to the 2,000 professionals and volunteers who “dedicated tireless efforts and bravely battled” against the large forest fire that occurred on the island on 15 August 2023, affecting around 12,000 hectares in twelve municipalities.
“One year after the incident, it is fitting to honour all those who engaged in this challenging struggle, showcasing their steadfast dedication to Tenerife. The solidarity and bravery displayed by these professionals deserve our acknowledgement and continuing support in the reconstruction and rejuvenation of our island. While we are presently involved in this endeavour, it is only right to acknowledge the efforts of the professionals and volunteers throughout the fire,” stated Rosa Dávila.
On the other hand, the Councillor for the Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, elaborated on the various actions undertaken by the Cabildo over the past year for the restoration of the mountains and areas impacted by the significant fire, involving an investment of 7.5 million Euros. Furthermore, there is a planned investment of 29 million Euros between 2024 and 2026 for the recovery of the monteverde and measures against tree falls, landslides, and erosion risks.
The primary focus has been on measures to mitigate the risk of tree falls on people and vehicles, by removing radiata pine specimens and replacing them with monteverde. Additionally, measures have been implemented to address erosion risks in the basins through the creation of protective layers, fascines, embankments, breakwaters, and masonry dikes, among other initiatives.
Moreover, the Cabildo has allocated over 2 million Euros to the employment plan for the restoration of the fire-affected areas. The initiative has been conducted in collaboration with the Canary Islands Employment Service, through the Comprehensive Employment Plan of the Canary Islands, enabling the employment of 63 individuals since March this year.
In addition to the efforts focused on reforesting the areas, the Cabildo has bolstered its prevention, surveillance, and firefighting operations for forest fires. As a result, the Brifor operation involves approximately 600 personnel – including the 240 professional staff of the Tenerife Firefighters Consortium – along with various material resources, including two helicopters, one of which remains operational throughout the year.
Additionally, in June this year, the Cabildo entered into an agreement to establish a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing environmental and territorial protection, as well as security and civil protection on the island of Tenerife during the 2024 fire campaign. Consequently, from 1 July, the ‘Prometeo’ operation was launched, deploying 920 military patrols in the mountains of Tenerife for 24 hours daily between 1 July and 30 September.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS.
Another notable achievement has been the introduction of the ‘Tenerife Midlands Plan for fire prevention and enhancement of natural and agricultural biodiversity’, an initiative designed to enhance the safety of individuals residing in high-risk areas on the island.
With a budget of 2.9 million Euros and spread over three years, its primary goal is to advise property owners in the midlands to implement self-protection measures at their residences and properties against forest fires – predominantly by reducing vegetative fuel load – and to enhance natural and agricultural biodiversity by establishing ‘biodiversity refuges’ on properties.
Furthermore, in July, a historic summit was convened at the Cabildo in defence of the mountains and against arsonists, where representatives from all administrative bodies gathered to combat arson and arsonists. In recent weeks, the State Security Forces and Corps have arrested alleged culprits of fires and are awaiting the verdict for the individual responsible for the Los Realejos fire in July 2023.
MOUNTAIN RESTORATION INITIATIVES
Alongside its internal initiatives, the Council, in partnership with other entities and institutions, has implemented various projects such as expanding the El Portillo Botanical Garden nursery with Fundación Cepsa, enabling a doubling in the production of plants used for reforestation in the Teide National Park.
The ‘Tenerife Renace’ project was initiated in October 2023 in collaboration with the Foresta Foundation to channel donations from individuals and companies towards environmental restoration activities.
The four-year project, promoted by Innovaris with support from CEOE-Tenerife and joined by Inco-LAB Smart Island Cluster and the entities Televisión Pública de Canarias, SA, Radio Pública de Canarias, SA and the Canary Islands Confederation of Businessmen, included the ‘Juntos por los montes de Tenerife’ gala, bringing together more than twenty national and international artists at the end of December to raise funds.
Moreover, the Cabildo and the Fénix Canarias Association launched the ‘Tótems Tenerife’ project in November 2023 for mountain recovery. This initiative aims to gather mountain photos over two years and create a timelapse showcasing its evolution through the citizens by installing 20 wooden totems on tracks, paths, and viewpoints to facilitate the public in capturing their Tótems Tenerife photographs.
‘Tenerife Forest Days’ were held in June this year, focusing on the 2023 major fire, with the participation of thirty experts from various fields. As a conclusion to the event, the Cabildo endorsed the Declaration for the management of large forest fires in Spain, a document promoted by the Pau Costa Foundation featuring 15 key points to address the situation across Spain’s mountains.
Additionally, the Cabildo, through the Primary Sector area, recently approved aid for the island’s beekeeping sector to compensate for production losses resulting from the lack of flowering in the areas impacted by the 2023 major fire, amounting to 800,000 Euros. These grants will assist affected producers in mitigating the losses caused by the fire, contributing to the upkeep of the island’s beekeeping sector.
Similarly, the criteria and application for aid aimed at supporting the restoration and conservation of agricultural systems affected by the August 2023 fire have been sanctioned. Therefore, 250,000 Euros have been allocated for repairing and restoring the material damage caused by the major fire, as well as for replacing fruit trees.
