SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 10 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Tenerife Island Council has enforced a ban on starting fires from 7:00 a.m. on Thursday in recreational and outdoor spaces – including barbecues, campfires, stoves, or gas cookers – as well as the usage of any machinery or equipment that could generate sparks (such as brush cutters, welding tools, or radial saws) and the use of any pyrotechnic items in high-risk zones.
This measure was adopted considering the prevailing weather conditions and the warning issued for high temperatures, strong winds, and the heightened risk of forest fires as declared by the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands on the island of Tenerife.
The President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, has announced the activation of the Territorial Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) on Thursday as a precautionary step in response to the alert situation due to high temperatures and winds. This activation entails the implementation of level 1 measures aimed at forest fire prevention.
Dávila urges the public “to adhere to the directives provided by the authorities and refrain from engaging in any activities that could trigger a fire, as 90% of fires stem from negligence, something that can be easily avoided.”
The Council underscores that the high temperatures will mainly affect the mountainous areas and hilltops – with the sensation being close to normal in most residential areas – hence advises against venturing into or remaining in the forested regions of the island while the alert persists. It also advocates exercising utmost caution across the entire island with any activities that might pose a fire hazard.
The restrictions associated with level 1 forest fire prevention will stay in effect until the alert status is lifted, as per a statement from the Cabildo.