The forest fire in Tenerife already affects 8,400 hectares, has a perimeter of 70 kilometers with a large front in the north of the island and has forced the evacuation of more than 12,000 people, according to official data.
According to the data provided this Saturday by the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, the fire forced the evacuation of 12,279 people, less than the 26,000 initially advanced and which corresponded to provisional estimates.
Even so, the honorary consul of Portugal in Tenerife, Vicente Álvarez Gil, assures the TSF that the fire is not affecting the tourist areas, reassuring Portuguese tourists, arguing that there are no reasons to change the holidays.
“The consulate has received many calls from Portuguese citizens asking if there is any danger in taking a holiday in Tenerife and I can assure you that the tourist sites are not in any danger. The Tenerife airport is open, it has never closed and the tourist area and the area surrounded by the sea are not in danger, “he assures.
Emphasizing that the Government sends daily information to the consulate, Vicente Álvarez Gil also affirms that he has no indication that there are Portuguese affected by the fire.
“At the moment there are no Portuguese citizens in danger or with problems. The Government informs us every day of the situation in relation to Portuguese citizens and for the moment there are no problems. The serious fires are in mountainous areas, in forests and do not affect, for the moment, important urban centers, “he points out.
The consul insists, therefore, that the fires are in the mountains and do not affect those who come to Tenerife to go to the beach or walk around the city.
The atmospheric conditions point to a difficult night, but the work of the air and ground resources allowed 90% of the perimeter of the southern front of the fire to remain stable, Clavijo said.
On the other hand, in the northern zone the situation is more complicated and only 20% of the surface is stabilized.
The potential of the fire is enormous and during the night there will be a reinforcement of 151 firefighters deployed in the evacuated areas to defend the houses, he indicated.
Clavijo appreciated the number of people who offered to help, but warned that it is a large-scale fire on which only qualified professionals can act, so he asked that spontaneous or reckless actions not take place.
On Saturday, 19 planes were on the ground and on Sunday there will be 22.
The municipal leader, Rosa Dávila, said that it is a devastating fire that affects the forest crown of Tenerife, and warned that the night could be “very long and difficult.”
Since the start of the fire, the authorities have already evacuated several regions located in 11 municipalities in the south and north of Tenerife, reports the Efe agency.
The Government added that people who need accommodation are being referred to various shelters.
The fire, which has been raging since Tuesday, forced the evacuation of several villages.
Civil Protection said that this Sunday the towns will continue to be evacuated, as a precautionary measure, and advised the adoption of self-protection measures.
The aerial apparatus continues carrying out water discharges, having carried out more than 1,700 since the start of the fire.
According to the Spanish authorities, the fire is far from being extinguished and the intense heat, the strong wind and the adverse terrain conditions have made it difficult to fight the flames, which have advanced towards the north of the island.
Source: TSF
