The president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, has emphasised the urgent need for greater collaboration and involvement of the public to identify and apprehend the arsonists responsible for the fires on the island. “We cannot let our guard down against the arsonists who play with our lives, destroy our heritage, and endanger our forests,” stated Dávila, underscoring the importance of constant vigilance.
Dávila has ensured that the pressure on the perpetrators will be increased by mobilising all available forces and resources. “We will surround them and make sure they do not escape justice. They will not evade prison,” she affirmed, highlighting that any information from the public is crucial in identifying the perpetrators of these crimes.
To strengthen strategies and tactics for fire prevention and response in forest fires, two important meetings will be held on 22 and 23 July. These meetings aim to coordinate all emergency services to work together efficiently.
Concern over fire outbreaks
The island president has expressed concern over the fire outbreaks recorded in various points of Tenerife, especially in interface areas close to human settlements. “We are facing fire outbreaks in interface areas, near human settlements, which increases our concern,” explained Dávila.
Tomorrow, Dávila and Lieutenant General and Chief of the Canary Islands Command, Julio Salom, will visit Montaña Bermeja in the Corona Forestal Natural Park. This visit will include a coordination meeting with officials from the Tenerife Forest Brigades (Brifor), the Tenerife Fire Consortium, the Civil Guard, and the Army.
Summit in defence of the forests
On Tuesday 23rd, the island council president has called for a ‘Summit in Defence of the Forests and Against Arsonists’ at the Noble Hall of the Council. This meeting will involve the Forest Brigades (Brifor), the Tenerife Fire Consortium, the Army Corps (UME), the Civil Guard (Seprona), the National Police, the Canary Islands Government (Emergencies and Security), the Autonomous Community Prosecutor’s Office, and the Public Prosecutor for the Environment in Tenerife.
The Tenerife Island Council has expressed gratitude for the collaboration of all administrations and officials working to protect human lives and the island’s natural spaces. Additionally, Dávila has positively assessed the recent arrest of a resident of San Miguel de Abona by the Civil Guard, accused of causing a forest fire and two fire outbreaks in the early hours of 15th August 2023 between Vilaflor and San Miguel de Abona.
