On 15 May, Tenerife will test its response capabilities in the face of a significant forest fire with a simulation in La Guancha. This area is classified as an urban-forest interface, where residential areas and vegetation coexist, increasing the risk factor.

The drill, organised by the Cabildo of Tenerife, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response resources and evacuation protocols to safeguard the local population in a high-risk scenario.

Evacuation of Residents, Pets, and Animals

A crucial aspect of the drill will be the orderly evacuation of residents, along with pets and livestock, from a specific neighbourhood of the municipality, yet to be determined.

This operation will include transporting affected individuals to a designated meeting point and establishing a space that will serve as a municipal shelter. This measure aims to provide a comprehensive response in case of a real emergency.

The Cabildo will also test self-protection mechanisms and public information systems to ensure that citizens know how to respond effectively in the event of a fire.

A Key Drill Before the Fire Season

Blanca Pérez, the Councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, emphasised that this drill will be essential for preparing intervention teams ahead of the forthcoming fire campaign.

She explained that the exercise will allow for performance checks, identification of potential flaws, and enhancement of responses to crisis situations in areas where fire could jeopardise both forest and residential zones.

Coordination Among All Emergency Services

The drill will be conducted under the Special Emergency Attention Plan for Forest Fires in the Canary Islands (Infoca) and will involve participation from local, regional, and national resources.

Furthermore, the coordination among various intervention groups, the Cecopin, and the Insular Advanced Command Post (PMA) will be evaluated, with real-time decision-making management from this command centre.

Iván Martín, the Director of Security and Emergencies, highlighted that one of the primary goals will be to strengthen coordination, information flow, and operational capabilities among all participants.

Two Scenarios to Measure Real Responses

The exercise will encompass two distinct scenarios. The first will simulate several incidents to assess how teams react to varied situations on the ground.

The second scenario will focus on decision-making, with direct monitoring of the emergency from coordination centres to analyse incident management in real-time.

Additionally, measures for the protection of heritage and property against the potential spread of fire will be activated.

Brifor Will Play a Prominent Role

Pedro Millán, the Insular Director of the Natural Environment, stressed that this exercise will be particularly significant for the Brifor, which will face a demanding test before the 2026 fire campaign.

The Cabildo aims for the drill not only to train teams but also to enhance the culture of prevention among citizens and improve collective preparedness for a potential forest emergency.