The Cabildo de Tenerife will close the forest track at 4:00 p.m. this Saturday due to the situation prompted by a prealert for rainfall and snowfall in the mountainous regions of the island.
The Insular Institution will also initiate the Insular Emergency Plan of Tenerife (PEIN) at 00:00 on Sunday in response to the same unfavourable weather conditions, as confirmed in a statement.
This resolution was made during a meeting held on Saturday with the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez; the Insular Director of Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín, alongside Civil Protection specialists.
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 undertaking outdoor activities.” She further remarked on the activation of the PIN and the actions taken to ensure the safety of individuals.
In turn, Blanca Pérez elaborated that the activation of the PIN entails close monitoring of the meteorological situation, as well as ensuring that island resources and services are on standby should their intervention be needed.
The Cabildo de Tenerife has advised municipalities to assess the implementation of preventive measures based on the alerted conditions and recommends that residents adhere to the self-protection guidelines issued by civil protection authorities, particularly steering clear of the island’s summit zones and outdoor activities.
Preventive measures in the Teide
Furthermore, the island authority states that access will be prohibited from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday along the following paths or parts thereof:
Path No. 7: Blanca-Pico Teide Mountain, specifically the stretch between Cima de Montaña Blanca and the junction with Path No. 11 at the viewpoint of the fortress.
Path No. 9: Teide – Pico Viejo – Road TF-38, covering the section from the confluence of this path with Path No. 38 (black caves) to its intersection with Path No. 12 (Mirador de Pico Viejo).
Path No. 10: Bravo Telesforo. [entirely]
Path No. 11: Mirador de la Fortaleza. [entirely]
Path No. 12: Mirador de Pico Viejo. [entirely]
Path No. 23: black regatones.
Path No. 28: Chafarí.
Access Restrictions to Forest Areas
The restrictions will come into effect from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Therefore, movement and entry to woods and trails are prohibited due to the Arafo forest fire in 2023, as there remains “a significant risk of landslides.” This prohibition also includes access and transit for the same reason along the following routes:
1.- Torn track crossed, VM 2.1, from the TF-24 road to the GR-131.
2.- The seven-font track, VM 2, in the stretch that remained accessible.
3.- The route to Candelaria (from Aguamansa to La Crucita) connecting GR-131 to TF-24.
4.- The PK 29, VM-17 track, from the TF-21 road to the shepherds’ rock.
Should the prohibition on free transit affect specific road segments, as a precaution due to the forecast of adverse weather conditions, additional restrictions will be imposed on the forest paths that link to these road segments where vehicle access is also forbidden.
These prohibitions will coincide with the restrictions on free movement along the highway segments with which they are associated.
This restriction applies to individuals, businesses, and other entities or authorities outside the council area that manage mountain areas, protected natural spaces, and forest fire prevention and extinguishing activities.
The council emphasises that the specified limitations do not obstruct their owners or clients from accessing and remaining in homes, estate properties, and publicly accessible establishments, including their indoor parking areas.
