Forest fire pre-alert issued for Canary Islands in warning for summer holidays
Summer forest-fire warning for holiday hotspot
- A pre-alert warning has been issued for the Canary Islands due to the increased risk of forest fires during the summer.
- The islands on pre-alert include El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, with measures in place until further notice.
- The Canary Islands' Mediterranean climate and winds from the Sahara desert contribute to a medium to high risk of forest fires.
- More than 2,000 firefighters are on standby to tackle any fires in the western islands and Gran Canaria.
- In 2023, Tenerife experienced its worst wildfires in 40 years, leading to the evacuation of over 12,000 people; the government urges precautions to prevent fires, such as avoiding throwing cigarette butts and fireworks near forests.