Tenerife Imposes Emergency Traffic Restrictions in Teno Rural Park to Ensure Fire Safety

The Tenerife Island Council is introducing new, unprecedented traffic restrictions in Teno Rural Park to ensure safety and keep evacuation routes clear in the event of a forest fire. This decision marks a significant shift in how the island manages protected areas that attract large numbers of tourists.

Starting Thursday, July 30, these measures are a direct response to a small fire that occurred in Masca on July 18. Officials identified the area’s narrow roads and lack of alternative exits as a major risk, leading the Island Operational Coordination Center (CECOPIN) to implement dynamic traffic controls on the TF-436 road.

While the current alert from the Canary Islands Government remains in place, traffic will be restricted between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Masca, Los Carrizales, and El Palmar. Control points will be set up at Las Lagunetas, Los Pedregales, and Santiago del Teide.

During these hours, only residents, property owners, public service workers, emergency vehicles, and buses under 7.5 meters long will be allowed through. Private vehicles used for tourism or recreation, as well as any non-essential private transport, are prohibited.

This plan was developed following a meeting on July 23 between the Island Council, the Buenavista del Norte City Council, and local representatives. They agreed that limiting traffic is the best way to prevent gridlock during an emergency. The operation will be managed by a joint team including state security forces, the Canary Islands Police, environmental agents, the Fire Consortium, and health services, all working to ensure that tourist traffic does not block vital evacuation routes.