The devastating wildfires in Tenerife are suspected to have been started deliberately. The police are investigating.
A wildfire has been raging in Tenerife in the Canary Islands for the fifth day already, but the fire brigades have made progress in extinguishing it. The extinguishing work has been helped by the abated wind.
More than 12,000 people have been evacuated from their homes since Tuesday night. At least 11,600 hectares of pine forest and other vegetation have burned in the national park around the Teide volcano. It is six percent of the entire surface area of the island.
– When that area is our lungs. Although there are many green mountains left, this is terribly difficult for the islanders and for us foreigners who live here and who are mostly forest people, says a resident of Puerto de la Cruz for 17 years Kirsi Saastamoinen.
Even though he lives on the coast, kilometers away from the fire area, on Saturday ash and canary pine needles from the fire area flew into his yard with the wind. However, the yard or garden must not be sprayed clean, because according to Saastamoinen, water must now be regulated.
The authorities have urged residents of the areas affected by the smoke to stay indoors and wear masks outside.
The 112 message came to the cell phone
No one has died in the wildfire and not a single home has burned down. According to Saastomainen, the authorities have already evacuated the residents well in advance, for example to sports facilities. Some have been transferred to relatives or friends. Livestock and horses have also been evacuated.
– Yesterday, my husband and I also received a 112 notification on our cell phone that people were being evacuated from the nearby area and we had to accept that message. The message apparently came to our area due to the cell phone masts, even though we don’t have any problems here on the coast.
As recently as Saturday, the authorities estimated the number of evacuees at more than 26,000 people. Officials later clarified that the figure was based on census data from the area designated for evacuation.
The locals have been shocked by the extent of the fire and the fact that the authorities suspect that the fire was set on purpose. A police investigation has already started.
However, it is hoped that tourists will return to the island again from September to October.
– The majority of locals earn their living from tourism. And yes, that greenery will return to the mountains as well, because the canary pine will not die in a fire, but will start growing green after a year. It has fully recovered in 8–10 years, but the body remains black, Saastamoinen says.
Teide National Park is described as a unique nature at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
The Prime Minister plans to visit Tenerife on Monday
The fire is the worst in decades. In the Canary Islands, it has rained less than average in recent years.
Hundreds of firefighters and soldiers are fighting the fire, but it has been difficult for them to get to the scene of the fire. They have 23 water-carrying helicopters and airplanes in use.
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez planning to visit the island tomorrow monday.
About 80 Finns have filed a travel declaration for the entire Canary Islands region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told on Saturday. The ministry hoped that Finns in Tenerife would make a report online.
It is estimated that around 1,100 Finns live permanently in the Canary Islands, but during the summer some of them may be in Finland.
Sources: AP and AFP