The authorities in La Orotava have initiated a campaign to prevent wildfires, aiming to educate the public on how to prevent such incidents and how to respond if they occur. As part of the Municipal Emergency Plan, new measures have been put in place, such as a mobile alert system for evacuation, a dedicated WhatsApp channel, and the distribution of an informative brochure.
These initiatives were revealed by Mayor Francisco Linares, who unveiled the campaign alongside Councilor for Security, Narciso Pérez; Head of the Civil Protection Group, Miguel Ángel Pérez; and Local Police sub-inspector, Ignacio Sánchez. The focus is on raising awareness, informing the public about new resources, communication systems, and immediate alerts. One of these alerts includes the ES-Alert System which sends messages to mobile phones of residents in the municipality and those in affected areas in case of a fire.
Narciso Pérez stated, “By using clear, simple language, residents can learn the necessary guidelines to follow when facing a wildfire.”
As part of these efforts, meetings will be held in the upper regions, as these were the most impacted by the wildfires in August last year.
Reflecting on the severity of the wildfires experienced in Tenerife nine months ago, the mayor remarked, “It was the most impactful and dangerous wildfire in the last four decades that took almost 90 days to be extinguished.” He also urged citizens to cooperate, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean surroundings without combustible materials like pallets or pruning remnants, which can fuel the flames.
He recommended referring to the information pamphlet as mandatory reading, stating that it provides essential guidelines that all citizens should be aware of and follow diligently.
