Tenerife Scout Groups Complete 'Fire Watchers' Training to Combat Wildfire Risks
Young scouts in Tenerife have completed the "Fire Watchers" program, an initiative designed to equip the younger generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent and manage wildfires in the Canary Islands.
Younger generations in the Canary Islands are taking a significant step forward in addressing the climate emergency following the completion of the "Fire Watchers" program. This initiative provided scout groups in Tenerife with the practical and theoretical skills needed to help protect the island’s forests.
Coordinated by Fénix Canarias and supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation through CaixaBank, the program is particularly timely given the lasting impact of the devastating 2023 wildfires. Rather than relying solely on lectures, the project used scale models to help participants visualize how factors like terrain, weather, and forest management influence how fires spread.
The program concluded on Saturday, May 23, at the San Matías II Citizen Center. The training cycle included both classroom sessions on the fragility of local ecosystems and fieldwork, which involved visiting areas scorched by last year’s fires. By involving citizens in landscape management, the initiative aims to build a stronger culture of prevention.
These educational efforts are vital as climate change makes wildfires more frequent and intense. By teaching young people about forest management, the project hopes to foster a sense of collective responsibility, helping to protect both the islands' biodiversity and the safety of local communities.