Saturday, June 28, 2008

With Heatwave, Comes Fire in Tenerife

View Larger MapFirefighters brought a small fire under control in the area known as Charca de la Mariana, in Tierra del Trigo, near Los Silos (info) in the north west of Tenerife on Friday afternoon.

The fire broke out just after 7 p.m. in a palm grove and was brought under control a little before 9 p.m., but the fire devastated a palm and some cane. (It's a matter of debate if this is was bamboo cane or sugar cane.)

Probably due to the proximity of the Monte del Agua laurisilva (laurel, cloud) forest and the general paranoia over fires after last year's experience, amongst other things, the response appears to have been rapid and numerous (as it should be). The Cabildo (Corporation) report details a long list of ground equipment, as well as a helicopter, being deployed.

There's no mention of the cause of the fire, but the heatwave, with relatively low humidity, of course, makes it more liable to spread rapidly.

Visitors and locals alike should take note of the recommendations not to travel into the mountains and fire bans in place during the current weather alert.