Canary Islands Emergency Services Respond to 185 Incidents During San Juan Celebrations
Emergency services in the Canary Islands managed 185 incidents during San Juan festivities, primarily involving improperly extinguished bonfires that required firefighter intervention to prevent further spread.
The San Juan festivities once again put emergency services in the Canary Islands to the test. According to the Emergency and Security Coordination Center (CECOES 112), there were 185 incidents reported between the evening and early morning hours, all related to the traditional bonfire celebrations across the islands.
Reports show that the biggest issue was a failure to properly extinguish fires. Most calls to authorities involved abandoned bonfires still smoldering or producing smoke. Firefighters had to remain on high alert throughout the night to prevent these fires from spreading to nearby vegetation or street furniture, a risk made worse by the night's weather conditions.
While the celebrations were festive, the night highlighted the challenges of managing large public events where individual responsibility is key. Thanks to close coordination between security forces and firefighting teams, all incidents were contained before they could cause significant damage or injuries.
The night’s successful outcome proves that current safety protocols are effective. However, the high number of alerts serves as a reminder that the public needs to be more careful about fully extinguishing fires in urban and surrounding areas.