The work to extinguish the forest fire Tenerife have benefited this Sunday from the rain that fell while the Cabildo and the State Security Forces They have intensified surveillance in the mountains of the affected municipalities due to the presence of people on trails and tracks in areas whose access is prohibited.
The Cabildo reports that during the weekend People have been detected walking along the tracks and trails, as well as on bicycles and on horseback.which represents a risk both for them and for the personnel working on extinction tasks.
The counselor of Natural Environment, Blanca Pérezremember that in Grade 3 measures are applied in the mountains of Güímar, Arafo, Fasnia, Candelaria, El Rosario, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava and Los Realejoswhich means the prohibition of making fire, traveling on forest tracks and trails and staying in the mountains.
Pérez has called on the population not to go to the mountains “because it is dangerous. The fire is not controlled and there are various risks such as falling trees and stones. We ask for caution and prudence”.
The Cabildo remembers that the Special Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Response continues to be activated by Fires Foresters of the Autonomous Community of Canary Islands (INFOCA) and the Territorial Island Emergency Plan (PEIN).
The grade 3 measures applied by the Cabildo in the municipalities affected by the fire contemplate the prohibition of lighting fires in recreational areas and traveling on forest tracks and trails.
Staying in the mountains and making fires outdoors (bonfires, stoves, barbecues, gas stoves) are also prohibited; pyrotechnic displays and the use of machinery and tools that cause sparks.
In addition, motor vehicles cannot be used on forest trails for recreational purposes. Hunting activity is prohibited in these municipalities, except in Güímar and Fasnia, where it is allowed.
Regarding the extinction work, the appearance of rain today meant that the operation was withdrawn and carried out surveillance and control work in the subsoil to prevent reproductions.
Thus, the helicopters have not been activated today due to the rain and a contingent of 31 people has been available for ground work, to which coordination and logistics personnel must be added.
Although rain is beneficial for extinction efforts, it can also generate small falls of stones and trees, so the workers who are part of the Brifor operation have to exercise extreme caution in their work.
On the other hand, in terms of Roads, it must be remembered that the accesses to the National Park Teide along TF-24 (La Esperanza) and TF-21 (La Orotava) remain closed to traffic to guarantee the safety of people and facilitate extinction work. In addition, TF-523 (Subida Los Loros) remains closed.
Access to the Teide National Park can be done through Vilaflor (TF-21) and Chío (TF-38) and it has been decided to modify the section of the Cable Car, moving it to Portillo Alto, so that people can access the restaurants located in the area.
