SAN SEBASTIAN DE LA GOMERA, 23rd Aug (EUROPA PRESS) –
Commencing this Friday, the Cabildo of La Gomera has initiated the ‘grade 0’ alert level due to the potential risk of wildfires.
Consequently, the institution is easing the stringent measures that have been enforced across the island, in line with the directives of the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government. This comes as the alert situation regarding wildfire risk in the western islands and Gran Canaria is lifted, although a pre-alert status remains in effect in those areas.
The president of the island, Casimiro Curbelo, urged the public to act responsibly “by continuing to exercise caution and common sense, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the authorities.”
He further stated, “It is a collective responsibility to protect and conserve our environment, which is especially affected and vulnerable due to the ongoing water crisis.”
The island’s Councillor for the Environment and Emergencies, Héctor Cabrera, clarified that with the reduction to ‘degree 0’, the prohibition on lighting fires in outdoor spaces, including bonfires, stoves, barbecues, and wood-burning ovens remains enforced.
This regulation also applies to the use of fire pits in recreational areas situated within forest regions that lack appropriate safety measures, such as spark arrestors.
Furthermore, the combustion of plant or forest waste is forbidden, as noted by the Council.
The organisation also recommends maintaining heightened vigilance throughout the island concerning any activities that could spark a fire, such as smoking, the operation of generators, handling pyrotechnic materials, or using machinery that produces sparks.
Additionally, residents are reminded that in any potentially hazardous situation, they should contact emergency services via 1-1-2 or reach out to the La Gomera Island Operational Coordination Centre at 922 14 15 01.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS 2024
In 2024, La Gomera will implement the most extensive firefighting operation in its history, with an investment of approximately 2.2 million euros. This initiative will encompass surveillance tasks and the activation of extra personnel during the winter season.
The team will consist of the Environment Unit, reinforcement personnel, the Forest Fire Intervention and Reinforcement Team Service (EIRIF), National Park officials, and local volunteer groups—such as Civil Protection, Anaga Emergency Aid, Valle Gran Rey Volunteer Firefighters, La Gomera Volunteer Firefighters, and the Red Cross—along with the La Gomera General Social and Health Services Foundation and State Security Forces and Corps.
Additionally, there will be unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring and incident detection, a helicopter stationed in San Sebastián de La Gomera, and the Spanish Government’s Air Tractor based at the airport, as well as around twenty vehicles with a capacity exceeding 50,000 litres of water and the provision of portable rafts for loading water from aerial vehicles.
