He cutting of forest paths before the episode of high temperatures that will affect the entire Archipelago as of this Thursday will encourage the pilgrimage to Candelaria stick tight exclusively to the southern main roadthe TF-28.
The closing of the trails will be accompanied by that of the access roads to the Teide National Park, with which this year it will not be possible to observe from the summit of the perseids.
This was announced at a press conference by the Councilor for the Natural Environment and Emergencies of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Blanca Pérez, in the presentation of the security device for the pilgrimage on the occasion of the festivities of the Virgin of La Candelaria, and which will be made up of more than 400 troops.
Pérez has delved into the fact that the island is facing an adverse meteorological phenomenon in the form of a very intense heat wave and that it will be sustained over time at least until next Tuesday, August 15.
This situation entails “an extreme risk” of forest fire, also coinciding with the development of a large number of recreational, festive and leisure activities that will take place on the island over the next few days, observation of the Perseids, festivals and pilgrimage to Candelaria, which gather a large number of people.
Nor will it be allowed to access Teide to see the perseids
“This year we will not be able to allow the Teide climb to see the Perseids for strictly security reasons, because there are no guarantees that, in the event of an incident, we can guarantee the safety of visitors and a traffic jam would be an obstacle. for forest firefighting teams”, he reasoned.
The counselor has appealed to citizens for understanding and for all recommendations to be followed through official channels.
The cuts will affect the island access roads to the Teide National Park, from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on August 11 to 12 and 12 to 13, 2023, in the following points: Highway TF-24, km 23+500, at the Arafo junction, Highway TF-21, km 16+500, at the height of the Caldera de Aguamansa on the north slope, Highway TF-21, km 66+800, at the height of Vilaflor on the southern slope, Carretera TF-38, on the ascent to Chío, km 12+500. Likewise, a cutoff of the TF-24 highway is established, at pk 9+00 in order to avoid the traffic of vehicles from the center of La Esperanza.
400 troops will ensure the safety of the festivity
As for the security device for the pilgrimage to Candelaria, in force on August 14 and 15, it will be made up of more than 400 troops.
In addition, the Cabildo’s own means and resources (Civil Protection, personnel from the forest fire prevention and extinction operation, road personnel, TITSA, Tenerife Fire Consortium) are integrated and participate in it.
Likewise, other means and resources belonging to different volunteer entities (Red Cross, AEA), as well as civil protection and police means and resources belonging to the municipalities of Los Realejos, La Orotava, Santa Úrsula, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria, El Sauzal, Tacoronte, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, El Rosario, Arafo and Güímar.
All this is also coordinated with the CECOES 112 of the Government of the Canary Islands and with the participation of the State security forces and bodies.
The Minister of Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, explained that this preventive device will work mainly to prevent the transit of pilgrims through the forest area of the island (paths and tracks), where there is an express prohibition of said activity.
The officially authorized road to carry out the pilgrimage will be offered as an alternative and will be provided with “total security”, which is the southern general cart (TF-28), which will remain closed to traffic in the section between El Tablero and Caletillas during normal hours. from 6:00 p.m. on the 14th until the early hours of the morning on the 15th, coinciding with the passage of the Athletic March and floral offering to the Virgin.
Special Hours of Titsa
The mayoress of Candelaria, Mari Brito, has indicated that it is essential to guarantee the safety of pilgrims and has urged them to follow the recommendations and use public transport with Titsa and with the transport itself at the request of the municipality, which will have special services.
In this regard, Candelaria’s on-demand urban transport will provide a free service from the bus station, on Rambla de Los Menceyes, to Plaza de Teror on Monday, August 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and on Tuesday 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
All the lines will provide their usual service on Monday the 14th, as on Tuesday the 15th in the case of lines 1 and 2, the hours will be the usual morning and afternoon. Line 6 will offer service until 2:00 p.m.
