The Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) issued red ‘extreme’ wildfire warnings initially for Tenerife’s southwest, expanding the warnings to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria as the weekend approaches. The heightened fire risk is attributed to a dry air mass with warm southern and southeastern winds, exacerbated by long-standing drought conditions on the eastern, southern, and western slopes of the islands. Officials expect a temperature inversion with relative humidity dropping below 30 percent, impacting areas over 600 meters on Friday and 400 meters on Saturday.
The government urges residents and visitors to follow fire safety guidelines, such as avoiding littering in forested areas, properly extinguishing cigarettes, and abstaining from outdoor barbecues. The UK Foreign Office advises travelers to be cautious in wooded areas and to contact emergency services at 112 if they encounter a fire. The Foreign Office also highlights that causing a wildfire is a punishable offense in Spain, even unintentionally, with strict fines for activities like improper disposal of cigarette ends or unsafe barbecuing.Amid the rising fire threat, local authorities remind everyone to stay informed of evolving conditions and follow official guidance to minimize wildfire risks.A state of ‘pre-alert’ has been declared across five Canary Islands, including Tenerife and Gran Canaria, as they face an elevated wildfire risk due to unusually dry and warm conditions. This alert, effective from 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, applies to El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, particularly in areas above 400 meters. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued red ‘extreme’ fire warnings, initially focused on southwest Tenerife but extending to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria as of Friday, November 8.The islands are currently experiencing a spell of dry, warm air accompanied by south and southeast winds, conditions which significantly heighten wildfire risk. The Canary Islands government emphasized that a prolonged drought on the eastern, southern, and western slopes of the islands further exacerbates this risk. Additionally, a temperature inversion is expected at low altitudes, causing relative humidity to drop below 30 percent in areas over 600 meters on Friday and over 400 meters during the weekend.Local authorities are urging residents and visitors to be vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent forest fires. People are advised to properly extinguish cigarette butts, avoid discarding litter in forested areas, and refrain from lighting barbecues outdoors. Anyone spotting a fire is encouraged to stay calm, contact emergency services at 112, and comply with directions from local authorities.The UK Foreign Office also issued guidance, advising British visitors to be mindful when traveling through or near forested areas. They highlighted that in Spain, causing a wildfire—even unintentionally—is a serious criminal offense, with steep fines imposed for behaviors such as leaving cigarette butts unextinguished or improperly disposing of waste in vulnerable areas. For current fire risks, travelers can refer to the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and should consult Civil Protection resources for instructions if caught in a wildfire.With fire risks projected to escalate over the weekend, officials underscore the importance of staying updated on evolving conditions and following safety precautions to mitigate wildfire risks in the Canary Islands.
The government urges residents and visitors to follow fire safety guidelines, such as avoiding littering in forested areas, properly extinguishing cigarettes, and abstaining from outdoor barbecues. The UK Foreign Office advises travelers to be cautious in wooded areas and to contact emergency services at 112 if they encounter a fire. The Foreign Office also highlights that causing a wildfire is a punishable offense in Spain, even unintentionally, with strict fines for activities like improper disposal of cigarette ends or unsafe barbecuing.Amid the rising fire threat, local authorities remind everyone to stay informed of evolving conditions and follow official guidance to minimize wildfire risks.A state of ‘pre-alert’ has been declared across five Canary Islands, including Tenerife and Gran Canaria, as they face an elevated wildfire risk due to unusually dry and warm conditions. This alert, effective from 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, applies to El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, particularly in areas above 400 meters. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued red ‘extreme’ fire warnings, initially focused on southwest Tenerife but extending to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria as of Friday, November 8.The islands are currently experiencing a spell of dry, warm air accompanied by south and southeast winds, conditions which significantly heighten wildfire risk. The Canary Islands government emphasized that a prolonged drought on the eastern, southern, and western slopes of the islands further exacerbates this risk. Additionally, a temperature inversion is expected at low altitudes, causing relative humidity to drop below 30 percent in areas over 600 meters on Friday and over 400 meters during the weekend.Local authorities are urging residents and visitors to be vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent forest fires. People are advised to properly extinguish cigarette butts, avoid discarding litter in forested areas, and refrain from lighting barbecues outdoors. Anyone spotting a fire is encouraged to stay calm, contact emergency services at 112, and comply with directions from local authorities.The UK Foreign Office also issued guidance, advising British visitors to be mindful when traveling through or near forested areas. They highlighted that in Spain, causing a wildfire—even unintentionally—is a serious criminal offense, with steep fines imposed for behaviors such as leaving cigarette butts unextinguished or improperly disposing of waste in vulnerable areas. For current fire risks, travelers can refer to the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and should consult Civil Protection resources for instructions if caught in a wildfire.With fire risks projected to escalate over the weekend, officials underscore the importance of staying updated on evolving conditions and following safety precautions to mitigate wildfire risks in the Canary Islands.
