Fire Safety Advice for San Juan Celebrations
As the San Juan festivities approach, the Emergency Consortium and Fire Brigade have issued safety guidelines for building bonfires. These celebrations will take place on the nights of June 23 and June 28.
Before constructing a bonfire, it’s essential to inform the local council of its location. This ensures a swift response from firefighters if needed.
Key recommendations include ensuring the bonfire site does not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle access and keeping it away from cars, trees, and buildings. Bonfires should be at least six metres away from electrical lines and free from any materials that could ignite.
Avoid using light materials in the bonfire and keep a watchful eye on it at all times. Ensuring that the fire is completely extinguished before leaving and cleaning up the area afterwards is crucial.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Council has reiterated that bonfires cannot be built on public roads or in parks, gardens, ravines, or beaches. They have also noted that the Tenerife Management Area has banned outdoor burning on this day, particularly in the Anaga region, to mitigate fire risks.
Bonfires must be located at least 20 metres away from buildings, roads, and utility lines, with a recommended distance of 50 metres between separate bonfires. In areas close to flammable facilities, this distance should be doubled.
The maximum height for bonfires is set at three metres, with a maximum diameter of five metres. This is to ensure that the flames do not pose a danger to nearby people and property.
For safety and environmental reasons, it is prohibited to use flammable or explosive materials, tyres, appliances, or similar items in bonfires. Prior to lighting the fire, it is vital to clear the surrounding area to prevent uncontrolled spread in case of wind changes.
Finally, it is advisable to have a water supply nearby, whether through hoses, buckets, or extinguishers, to manage or extinguish the fire if necessary. Bonfire overseers should remain in the vicinity until the fire is fully out.
