Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife will enforce the closure of forest tracks and prohibit traffic along the trails of Teide National Park from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, in order to ensure the safety of individuals due to the situation of Prealerta declared for rainfall and snowfall in the summit regions of the island.
The Insular Institution will also activate the Insular Emergency Plan of Tenerife (PEIN) starting at midnight on Sunday due to the same adverse weather conditions, as outlined in a statement.
This course of action was determined during a meeting held this Saturday attended by the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, the Insular Director of Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín, alongside Civil Protection technicians.
The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, has urged the public to “exercise extreme caution and refrain from unnecessary travel, accessing the island’s summit areas, and engaging in outdoor activities.” Additionally, she noted that the activation of the PIN and the accompanying measures “are implemented to safeguard public safety.”
In her remarks, Blanca Pérez clarified that the activation of the PIN involves close monitoring of the weather phenomenon, as well as ensuring that island resources and help are available should they be needed.
The Cabildo de Tenerife has advised municipalities to consider adopting precautionary measures based on the warned situation and recommends that residents adhere to the self-protection advice provided by the Civil Protection authorities, particularly avoiding access to the island’s summit areas and refraining from outdoor activities.
Preventive measures in the Teide
Moreover, the island institution emphasises that access is prohibited from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday on the following paths or their segments:
Path No. 7: Blanca-Pico Teide Mountain, from Cima de Montaña Blanca to the junction between Path No. 7 and Path No. 11 at the viewpoint of the fortress.
Path No. 9: Teide – Pico Viejo – Road TF -38, from the confluence of this path with Path No. 38 (black caves) to its junction with Path No. 12 (Mirador de Pico Viejo).
Path No. 10: Bravo Telesforo. [in its entirety]
Path No. 11: Mirador de la Fortaleza. [in its entirety]
Path No. 12: Mirador de Pico Viejo. [in its entirety]
Path No. 23: black regatones. [in its entirety]
Path No. 28: Chafarí. [in its entirety]
Restriction of access to forest areas
The prohibitions will come into effect from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Consequently, the circulation and access to forested areas and trails are prohibited as a result of the Arafo forest fire in 2023, since “a high risk of landslides” continues to exist, to which the prohibition of entry and traffic is also applied for similar reasons on the following routes:
1.- Torn track crossed, VM 2.1, from the TF-24 road at the PK to the GR-131.
2.- The seven-font track, VM 2, in the section that remained open.
3.- The road to Candelaria (from Aguamansa to La Crucita) from the GR-131 to the TF-24.
4.- The PK 29, VM-17 track, from the TF-21 road to the shepherds’ stone.
In cases where the ban on free movement applies to certain road sections as a preventive measure due to the anticipated adverse weather phenomenon, a restriction is also imposed on those forest tracks that connect with these road sections where vehicle movement is not permitted.
These restrictions will simultaneously apply to the prohibition of unrestricted movement through highway segments with which they connect.
This limitation is directed at citizens, businesses, and other entities or administrations outside the council that holds management responsibilities for the mountains, protected natural areas, and the prevention and control of forest fires.
The council emphasises that the indicated restrictions do not prevent homeowners or clients from accessing and remaining in their homes, farms, businesses, and establishments open to the public and their internal parking facilities.
