Canary Islands Issue Forest Fire Alert Amid Saharan Heatwave

The Canary Islands government has issued a forest fire alert for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Gran Canaria, effective from 11:00 a.m. this Thursday. The decision follows forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), which warns of high temperatures and very dry conditions, particularly at altitudes above 400 meters.

This weather pattern, caused by a mass of hot air arriving from the Sahara, began affecting the eastern islands on Wednesday. The combination of extreme heat and humidity levels dropping below 30% creates a high risk for wildfires. Authorities are also closely monitoring trade winds, which could bring gusts strong enough to make fires unpredictable and difficult to control.

Tenerife is expected to be hit particularly hard, with temperatures potentially reaching 33°C. Light haze in the area may also make prevention efforts more challenging. The regional emergency service, INFOCA, is maintaining constant surveillance and warns that fire risks could increase further between Friday and Saturday.

The government is urging the public to be extremely cautious in natural areas and to avoid any activities that could accidentally start a fire. Officials will continue to monitor the situation to determine if the alert needs to be extended or if further restrictions are required.