Local Resident Hailed as Hero After Preventing Forest Fire in Tenerife
A local resident in El Tanque, Tenerife, has been honored for his bravery after extinguishing an intentionally set fire and detaining the suspect before authorities arrived.
A local resident is being hailed as a hero after preventing a potential forest fire disaster in El Tanque, Tenerife.
On August 18, Jesús González Correa, a resident of Genovés, spotted smoke rising from the San José de los Llanos area. While a witness called emergency services, González Correa rushed to the scene to stop the fire before it could spread. By clearing away dry brush and creating a firebreak, he successfully contained the flames, which had been intentionally set.
Beyond putting out the fire, González Correa tracked the suspect—a foreign national with a prior criminal record—until authorities arrived. With the help of local firefighting crews, the Civil Guard, and environmental agents, the individual was taken into custody.
This incident highlights how vulnerable rural areas are during the summer and how vital local vigilance is in protecting the environment. The El Tanque City Council has formally honored González Correa for his quick thinking and bravery, which saved the local pine forest from significant damage. The case is now being handled by the courts.