Forest fires in the Canary Islands

Nature Posted on 14/08/2012

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Forest fires in Spain's Canary Islands have resulted in the evacuation of a number of residents and tourists, however, airports and main infrastructures have remained unaffected and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not put any travel restrictions in place.

The forest fires are now under control, but the risk of yet more fires haven't been ruled out. Visitors to the island of La Gomera around the areas of Las Hayas, El Contadero, El Cruce de las Hayas, Los Manantiales, Chipude, Arure, Banda Las Rosas, Valle Gran rey and El Cercado must monitor local news for regular updates. The fire first broke out more than a week ago and after being fanned by warm winds yesterday, it raced through the tinder-dry cane, forcing nearly 1,000 tourists and residents to evacuate from the western island town of Valle Gran Rey, as authorities feared fires in surrounding hills could engulf the town, according to Al Jazeera English (AJE).

Although actors of local tourism are downplaying the effect of the fires, the local reality is far from regular. With 3,000 people, including many tourists, were gathered in the western port of Puerto de Vueltas on La Gomera, waiting to see how the fire developed, said Candelaria Ceballos, spokeswoman for the Canary Island regional government, in an interview with AJE.

Ceballos said some 3,100 hectares, including some 800 hectares in the Garajonay National Park, had been destroyed since the fire began on August 4. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to 11 million years ago.

There are also reports of forest fires on the island of Tenerife around the area of El Tanque, Ruigomez, San Jose de los Llanos, El Palmar, Teno Alto, Lagunetas, Valle de Arriba, Erjos, Masca and Las Portelas.

Although there are no travel restrictions in place, a number of local residents have been evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure and a number of roads are closed to allow access to emergency services. Flights to La Gomera and Tenerife remain unaffected. Visitors are advised to check local news for updates.

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In brief : Nature