SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Oct. 9 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Government of the Canary Islands, at the request of the Cabildo of Tenerife and given the unfavorable evolution of the reactivation of the forest fire in Santa Úrsula, La Orotava and El Sauzal, has declared level 2 of the Infoca, assuming management of the emergency, and has proceeded to activate the Military Emergency Unit (UME) so that its troops join the extinction work.
The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, reported at a press conference about the forest fire that has affected the island since last August 15 and that was at level 1 of the Infoca since last Friday, recorded during the afternoon of today several reactivations in the municipalities of Tacoronte, El Sauzal, Santa Úrsula and La Orotava, due to high temperatures and wind, which have for the moment forced the evacuation of about 110 residents of Las Calderetas, Campo de Tiro and Carril del Dust, in Ravelo. The people have been relocated to the El Sauzal Pavilion. Likewise, about 500 dogs from the ADEPAC shelter and about 50 horses have been relocated to the Casa del Ganadero facilities (La Laguna).
Rosa Dávila has indicated that during today’s day 10 helicopters have been operating, of which two were incorporated during the afternoon, as well as about 90 ground personnel between forestry brigades of the Cabildo, BRIF La Palma, EIRIF of the Government of the Canary Islands and Firefighters. of the Tenerife Consortium. During the night the EMU will join in, as well as reinforcement from the Fire Consortium to prevent the fire from reaching the homes.
The president of the Cabildo has indicated that the request to raise the level is made “in view of the forecast of wind, with gusts that could reach 50 km/h, and the high temperatures, which could complicate the work during the night. We want to incorporate the UME, which together with the rest of the troops, will work to prevent the reactivations from continuing to grow and affecting homes.”
For his part, the head of the Forest Management technical service of the Cabildo, Pedro Martínez, explained that “the fire has remained active with subsoil fire, so we have continued working for weeks. The high temperatures, together with the conditions of the wind, have caused in recent days various reactivations, which have been stabilizing as they appear. The wind forecasts for today make us be cautious because a paveseo can occur and in light of this situation we have proceeded to evict the people from those Ravelo nuclei”.
In addition, the Cabildo of Tenerife has today activated grade 2 measures for the prevention of forest fires, taking into account the meteorological circumstances and the declaration of maximum alert for risk of forest fires decreed by the Government of the Canary Islands through the General Directorate of Emergencies.
Thus, the prohibition of making fires outdoors is maintained, whether barbecues, bonfires, gas stoves, the use of any type of machinery or tool that can project sparks (brush cutters, welding equipment or cutting radials) is suspended and The use of any pyrotechnic material in risk areas is prohibited.
Likewise, the circulation of motor vehicles on the network of forest trails for recreational purposes and the stay in recreational areas, camping areas and camps are prohibited. Sporting events and pilgrimages on forest and cross-country tracks and trails are also not permitted.
The Cabildo recommends not accessing or remaining in the forest areas of the island for the duration of the alert and taking extreme precautions throughout the island territory with any activity that could generate fires (tobacco, use of generating sets, electrical and pyrotechnic material , etc.). The restrictions corresponding to grade 2 of forest fire prevention will remain active until the alert situation ends.
