SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 21 December (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife has prohibited access on foot to the trails of Teide National Park as of 00:00 on Saturday, 21 December, in response to the pre-alert for high winds issued by the Government of the Canary Islands.
The General Directorate of Emergencies has announced this pre-alert based on AEMET forecasts and additional data. It has activated the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena, which predicts wind gusts of 30-50 km/h at the peaks and 70-80 km/h on Teide.
Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, stated that this decision was taken to “ensure the safety of individuals,” emphasising the dangers of using the trails in such conditions, with potential rainfall expected over the weekend as well.
Access has been restricted to Trail No. 7: Montaña Blanca-Pico Teide, specifically the section between the summit of Montaña Blanca and the junction of trails No. 7 and No. 11 Mirador de La Fortaleza. For Trail No. 9: Teide – Pico Viejo – TF-38 road, access is closed where it meets trails No. 38 (Cuevas Negras) and No. 12 (Mirador de Pico Viejo).
Trail No. 10, Telesforo Bravo, will also be inaccessible; Trail No. 11 from the Mirador de La Fortaleza; Trail No. 12, Pico Viejo Viewpoint; Trail No. 23, Regatones Negros; and Trail No. 28, Chafarí.
The regulations established by the Cabildo of Tenerife on 30 November outline protocols for situations arising from adverse weather conditions. It states that during official alert situations due to Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (AMP) declared by the Government of the Canary Islands, access to the public will be prohibited. The trails will remain closed 24 hours a day for the duration of the alert.
Furthermore, Blanca Pérez, the island’s councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, has warned that non-compliance may result in a fine of 600 euros.
This fine could be supplemented by rescue fees from the Government of the Canary Islands or the Consortium for Prevention, Fire Extinction, and Rescue of Tenerife, which vary between 2,000 and 12,000 euros.
