Calay News
A raging fire in the northeast of the Spanish island of Tenerife, part of the popular tourist archipelago of the Canary Islands, has forced the evacuation of approximately 3,000 people, authorities announced Wednesday. The cities of Santa Úrsula and La Orotava were especially affected, with around 2,400 and 600 people evacuated, respectively, as a precautionary measure.
Despite efforts to contain the flames, the fire has left the island on alert. Emergency counselor Blanca Pérez stated that the fire is now “stabilized,” and authorities are closely monitoring its evolution before considering returning residents to their homes.
This new disaster comes just months after Tenerife suffered a series of forest fires in August, which led to the evacuation of 12,000 people and devastated 7% of the 2,030 km² island. Images broadcast on television showed water bomber helicopters battling the flames, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The high temperatures in the Canary Islands, which currently exceed 30 °C, have created conditions conducive to the spread of fire. This incident highlights the urgency of addressing the challenges of climate change and the need for stronger preventive measures to protect vulnerable communities in wildfire-prone regions in Spain and across Europe.
