Tenerife closes roads due to extreme heat and fire risk
Due to extreme heat and a high risk of fires in Tenerife, roads to the Teide volcano have been closed, and restrictions have been placed on visiting forests.
Yesterday in Tenerife, it was decided to close the roads to the forest. They say it is very dangerous there now due to the heat – a fire could easily break out. And if there are many cars and people on the roads, it will be difficult for rescuers to reach the fire and evacuate everyone.
Initially, they planned to close the roads tonight so that people would not go to the mountains to watch the Perseid meteor shower.
So, from yesterday evening (from 6:00 PM) until Wednesday, the TF-21, TF-24, and TF-28 roads leading to the Teide volcano will be closed. Police, along with municipal workers, are already closing these roads.
Where exactly will the closures be:
- TF-24 (La Esperanza): at the 9th kilometer (to prevent people from traveling from the center of La Esperanza) and at the 23.5 kilometer (near the Arafo intersection).
- TF-21 (La Orotava): at the 16.5 kilometer (near Caldera de Aguamansa, from the north) and at the 66.8 kilometer (near Vilaflor, from the south).
- TF-38 (Guía de Isora): on the Chío ascent, at the 12.5 kilometer.
Blanca Pérez, who is responsible for ecology and emergencies on the island, says that the situation is very alarming now due to the risk of fires and heat. Therefore, decisive action must be taken to ensure that nothing happens and that people are safe.
She added that last Saturday, despite all the prohibitions, more than fifty people had to be evacuated from the Chipeque viewpoint. Therefore, she asks everyone to be conscious, follow the rules, and not go to the mountains in the coming days. Because it is dangerous for both you and the rescuers.
The municipality reminds that from Friday (from 2:00 PM) it is forbidden to walk in the mountains, walk along paths and forest roads on foot or by transport. The exception is if you need to get to your property. It is also forbidden to drive on forest roads in cars just for fun.
In addition, it is forbidden to light fires (bonfires, barbecues, gas stoves), set off fireworks, and use tools that can cause sparks. Hunting and logging have also been suspended, and campsites, camps, and the Chipeque and Chimague viewpoints have been closed.
Meteorologists say that today a red level of danger is in effect on Gran Canaria (very dangerous for health). On Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura – orange (significant risk).
Today there may be haze in the mountains. The temperature will hardly change, but it will still be hot. On Gran Canaria – up to 40 degrees, and on other islands – up to 37, especially on the southern slopes and in the center of the islands.
The nights will be very hot – around 27 degrees. On Sunday morning in Tejeda (Gran Canaria) it was 32 degrees!
On Tuesday, there will also be haze in the mountains. The temperature will drop slightly, but it can still be 39 degrees on Gran Canaria (orange level of danger). On Tenerife – up to 34 degrees. It will still be hot at night – around 26-27 degrees. A north wind is also expected.
Due to the heat, two people were affected this weekend: a 69-year-old woman in Tenerife and an 89-year-old man in La Palma. They felt ill on the street and were taken away by ambulance.
Doctors advise everyone to stay in cool places, eat light food, drink plenty of water (even if you don't want to), and not consume alcohol. Also, you should not play sports during the day.