The governing body of the Cabildo sanctioned an investment of €11.2 million during its session yesterday for the restoration of forest areas that suffered significant damage due to the fire in August 2023. This announcement was made by the island’s president, Rosa Dávila, during a press briefing alongside the third vice president, José Carlos Acha.
The project, spanning three years, will be executed by the public enterprise Gesplan and encompasses vital actions such as selective logging in inaccessible areas, thinning of the Canary Island pine forests, reforestation with indigenous species, and implementing measures to combat erosion on the impacted slopes, Dávila explained. “Our goal is not only to restore what has been lost but to proactively address potential threats through preventative measures,” she emphasised.
The council also ratified a contract with Gesplan for executing the cedar recovery service in Teide National Park, which has a budget of €1.116 million and is set to be completed by February 2026. “This initiative holds significant ecological importance as we strive to recover native species that have vanished due to climate change and logging practices from over 50 years ago,” Dávila highlighted.
Additionally, the Nationalist President announced the establishment of an Intelligent Emergency Management System (SIGE) to prevent and manage natural disasters while safeguarding the island’s residents.
This system will entail a total investment of €6 million, aimed at addressing risks related to forest fires, seismic activities, volcanological threats, hydrological issues, and adverse weather events. In this respect, the governing council awarded a contract to Vexiza SL for supplying licenses and initiating software for fire simulation and incident management, amounting to €516,703.
New Fire Surveillance System
Rosa Dávila clarified that the initial focus would be on tackling the risk of forest fires, which comprises several projects. The plans include implementing a fire simulation and incident management system, as well as establishing a forest surveillance network using lookout towers, starting with the one in Los Topos, Vilaflor, and subsequently expanding to Arguazo, El Gaitero, Chavao, Picachos, and San Juan.
The forest surveillance system will utilise dual cameras to scan the area for images across both visible and thermal spectrums, allowing for the detection of smoke or heat sources up to 25 kilometres away from the tower. This serves as a crucial early warning system enabling prompt action in the event of a fire outbreak.
There is also a forthcoming agreement with Iactec and Espacio (Cámara Drago) to utilise satellite imagery for producing fuel and humidity maps and for developing fire perimeter tools.
Furthermore, a telecommunications network will be established to link monitoring sites with the corporate network, and an Island Sensor Network will be implemented to connect various sensors, including meteorological stations, soil moisture, and pond water level measurements, among others.
In other developments, the island president noted that the governing council has approved the tender for the refurbishment of the TF-454 road surface in Santiago del Teide, with a budget of €2.3 million and a completion timeframe of six months. This roadway connects the urban centres of Tamaimo and Los Gigantes, spanning 6.6 kilometres.
José Carlos Acha highlighted the approval of subsidies to local councils under the Activa Suelo Programme, amounting to €1.4 million for 188 homes in Los Silos, El Sauzal, El Rosario, La Victoria de Acentejo, Buenavista, and Santiago del Teide.
Additionally, in the Primary Sector, the tender for improving and paving the agricultural road from La Caleta to Parque La Gomera in Los Silos has been approved, with a budget of €951,071.
As part of the Sports Infrastructure Plan, the Cabildo will contribute €93,618 to the Hermanos Illada sports centre in Los Silos and €97,725 to the Sibora tennis club. In La Laguna, an investment of €150,000 will be directed to the Las Mantecas skate park, €125,000 for the BMX circuit in La Vega park, and another €150,000 for the skate park in the same area.
In the cultural domain, the governing council has approved an extraordinary free concert by the Symphony Orchestra on 6 September, coinciding with the Christ of La Laguna festivities.
TLP Tenerife
Moreover, one of the matters discussed by the Government Council and underscored by the island president is the return of TLP Tenerife, scheduled to take place at the Fairgrounds from 3 to 8 September. Dávila noted that an attendance of approximately 60,000 individuals is anticipated over the six-day event, along with over 120 young people being hired, whose contracts will include training to acquire skills in the realm of new technologies.
