The residents of the closest areas, some 1,671 people, will continue to be confined
There are no new evacuations although the number of affected is updated; 4,509 people
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Aug. 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Emergency Department of the INFOCA Plan has decided to lift the confinement order in the part furthest from the forest mass of the nucleus of La Esperanza, in the municipality of El Rosario (Tenerife).
This was revealed this Friday during the press conference at 2:30 p.m. to update the information on the evolution of the fire that has affected the island since the night of August 15.
In this regard, the technical director of the emergency, Montse Román, has commented that of the total number of people confined –3,820–, 1,671 will continue in this situation, specifically the areas closest to the forest mass.
The confinement in La Esperanza of the areas closest to the forest mass is maintained from Vista Castillo street to TF-24 and El Sino street heading west; while the Las Raíces Migrant Emergency Center (San Cristóbal de La Laguna) remains confined.
“There has been a favorable evolution in the area of the head of the fire. Due to it, it has been decided to end the confinement of the nucleus of Esperanza in the areas furthest away from the forest mass,” he announced.
In the same way, he qualified that the mobility of vehicles will be limited only to what is strictly necessary, since it is important to leave the roads free for the transfer of the fire extinguishing device that remains in the area.
A TOTAL OF 4,509 PEOPLE EVACUATED
As for the evacuations, in the last few hours there have been no new evictions, although the numbers from the census of areas evicted yesterday have been incorporated into the figure, with a total of 4,509 residents who have had to leave their homes.
According to the latest update this Friday morning, the fire continues out of control after having affected an area of 3,797 hectares in a perimeter of more than 41.9 kilometers that covers the municipalities of Arafo, Candelaria, El Rosario, La Orotava , Santa Úrsula, La Victoria, El Sauzal, Tacoronte and La Matanza, affecting the forest mass (pine forest), mostly in the mount of La Esperanza and the forest crown.
By municipalities, in Candelaria 1,154 hectares are affected, in Arafo 1,435; in El Rosario 505, in La Orotava 299, in Santa Úrsula 162, in La Victoria 183, in El Sauzal 39; in Tacoronte 12 hectares; and in La Matanza four hectares.
For its part, the air quality continues to be unfavorable and the recommendations are maintained in Candelaria, Güímar, Arafo and El Rosario, where exposure to the outside must be avoided, no outdoor activities and protection of vulnerable people.
DEVICE DEPLOYED
Regarding the resources available, this Friday 265 ground troops are working, adding 36 members of the Ministry’s forestry brigades and 13 firefighters from the Fuerteventura Cabildo.
Meanwhile, 15 media operate by air as one is under repair and there will be a coordination aircraft (ACO) that will conduct a reconnaissance of hot spots with a thermal camera.
