Spain Wildfires: ‘Out of Control’ wildfire wreaks havoc in Tenerife Island

A wildfire rages uncontrolled on Spain's Tenerife island, causing evacuations and road closures. Fueled by a heatwave, the blaze challenges firefighters and underscores global climate change impacts, as rising temperatures drive natural disasters worldwide.

Outlook International Desk

Updated on: 17 August 2023 2:48 pm

Forest fires have ravaged Spain’s Island of Tenerife

Around 250 firefighters and emergency services personnel are fighting a wildfire on the Span’s island of Tenerife, also a major tourist destination, which officials say is spreading ‘out of control.’ The forest fires triggered an evacuation of five villages on the island and forced the closure of roads. As the fire is spreading across dry woodland, covering both flanks of steep ravines near the Mount Teide volcano, access to the area has been obstructed. Tenerife Island is part of the Canary Islands archipelago.

It was reported that the wildfires started on Tuesday night in the northeastern part of the island and spread through a forested area with steep ravines. "The night has been very tough...This is the most complex fire we've had in the Canary Islands in the last 40 years," said Fernando Clavijo, the head of the regional government. "The Tenerife fire is out of control; the scenario is not exactly very positive,” he stated last night.

Clavijo also added that around 250 firefighters are working to contain the fire. They are aided by planes and helicopters, including three from mainland Spain, one being a water bombing seaplane. The use of planes and helicopters is necessitated as the affected forest areas are hard to reach. He said that the fires had spread to about 1,800 hectares (4,450 acres).

Because of the thick smoke, the settlements of Arrate, Chivisaya, Media Montana, Ajafona, and Las Lagunetas were evacuated on Wednesday morning. Local authorities also closed routes leading to the mountains in the island's northeast.

Forest fires have emerged in several Western countries. The wildfires in Maui, in Hawaii, have claimed more than 100 lives. Last month, La Palma in the Canary Islands also encountered forest fires, which prompted a massive evacuation effort and the mobilization of approximately 400 troops from various agencies to battle the fires. A heatwave in the Canary Islands this week has also desiccated many areas in the region, elevating the risk of fires.

Europe is grappling with the consequences of searing temperatures reaching alarming levels around the world, exacerbated by climate change. Ever since the industrial age began, global temperatures have risen and have triggered natural disasters of many kinds, including floods, forest fires, droughts, landslides etc.