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Date Published: 05/10/2023

Devastating August wildfire reignites in Tenerife

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Thousands of people have already been evacuated from homes on the Spanish island

Devastating August wildfire reignites in Tenerife

The terrifying forest fire that tore through Tenerife in mid-August spontaneously reignited in the Santa Úrsula area of the island on the afternoon of Wednesday October 4 and quickly spread to the upper reaches of the municipality, forcing the evacuation of more than 2,600 people.

Thankfully, by around 10pm, the two most destructive sources of the blaze had been brought under control with only around 30 hectares of land affected. Firefighters had their work cut out for them though thanks to temperatures which reached 39ºC in the north of Tenerife and a persistently strong breeze.

As the flames have been put out, a striking column of thick black smoke has risen high into the sky as a result of burning brambles and heather. The authorities have advised people not to panic over the sheer volume of smoke, as it’s quite normal.

Tenerife’s director of Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín, pointed out that “this type of reactivation [of wildfires] is common and even more so with the heat and low humidity situation that we have. It is a subsoil fire that is still active and when it reaches a pine or stump it reignites, since these burn easily and can cause these small reactivations.

“We have the teams working and although the smoke and flames generate some alarm, the technicians tell us that they are common and that in the coming days they will continue to occur,” he added.

Grade 1 measures for the prevention of forest fires remain in place since Tuesday October 3 given the weather forecast for extremely high temperatures across the Canary Islands. These include a ban on all kinds of outdoor flames including barbecues, bonfires and gas stoves, any type of machinery or tool that can project sparks any pyrotechnic material in risk areas.

Now read: Investigation reopened into death of British woman in Tenerife hit and run

Images: Cabildo de Tenerife

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