– TONY CUADRADO – File
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 19 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Tenerife Council has announced a ban on smoking throughout the Teide National Park as a preventive measure against the risk of wildfires and to protect one of the most valuable natural spaces in the Canary Islands and across Spain.
The resolution, signed by the councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, states that smoking will not be permitted in open spaces within the National Park. This includes paths, tracks, viewpoints, recreational areas, car parks, rest areas, and public facilities, except in designated covered buildings where it is expressly allowed.
Recent Incidents Highlighting the Need for Action
The President of the Tenerife Council, Rosa Dávila, noted in a statement that three wildfires have occurred in protected areas of Tenerife in recent weeks, allegedly caused by discarded cigarette butts.
“The fires mainly affected formations of broom and rockrose, two emblematic and endemic species of the island’s summits. These incidents demonstrate that a simple act of negligence can have severe consequences for unique ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to fire,” she added.
Insights on the Decision
Dávila emphasised that “this decision is based on the need to enhance preventive measures in an environment that is especially sensitive, characterised by a high influx of visitors, weather conditions conducive to fire spread, and vegetation that is highly flammable.”
The resolution further notes that smoking is one of the principal causes of wildfires recorded around the National Park, whether through discarded butts, throwing them from vehicles, or improper handling.
Legal Basis and Visitor Compliance
The measure is implemented in accordance with state and regional regulations regarding forests, conservation of protected natural areas, and wildfire prevention, as well as the principles of precaution and reinforced protection of natural heritage.
It is also specified that visitors, users, workers, or those conducting authorised activities within the National Park must adhere to the ban during their entire stay in the protected natural space.
A Call for Collaboration
The Tenerife Council is urging all visitors to Teide National Park to collaborate and take responsibility for helping to preserve this unique enclave, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is part of the National Parks Network, ensuring its conservation for future generations.
