Evacuated Tenerife residents return home despite ongoing fire battle that lashed Spain's Canary Islands
Firefighters have reported that the fires which began on August 15 have burned 37,000 acres on the largest of Spain's Canary Islands off West Africa. Over 13,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as of Tuesday.
Battle against Tenerife wildfire continues in Spain
Residents of several communities in Tenerife, Spain – including Arafo – were allowed to return home on Monday, as firefighters continued to battle the large wildfire burning on the island, the local emergency service said.
TENERIFE, Spain – Residents of Tenerife, Spain are returning home as fire crews work to contain a large wildfire burning on the island.
Firefighters reported that the fires began on Aug. 15 and burned 37,000 acres on the largest of Spain's Canary Islands off West Africa. Over 13,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as of Tuesday.
Officials have reported that around 1,000 people and 300 pets are still staying in authorized shelters, while most evacuees have moved to relatives' homes.
A hydroplane drops water in the area of Guilmar over a huge wildfire raging through forested areas that surround the Mount Teide volcano natural park, on the Canary island of Tenerife, on August 21, 2023.
( CESAR MANSO/AFP / Getty Images)
Fire efforts have been focused on the area of Guilmar as hydroplanes drop water over forested areas surrounding the Mount Teide volcano natural park.
In a video released by the local fire department in Tenerife, firefighters battled the massive fire while saving a dog.
"These days, (Bomberos Tenerife) has deployed the largest number of troops in the history of the island to fight against (the Arafo-Candelaria Fire)," the fire agency said.
DANGEROUS WILDFIRES IN NORTHERN GREECE FORCE EVACUATIONS WHILE SPAIN'S TENERIFE BLAZE STILL RAGES
Dog rescued as Spanish firefighters battle Tenerife blaze
More than 12,000 people had evacuated their homes amid wildfires in Tenerife, Spain, by Sunday, August 20, local officials said.
Over a third of the damage is located in La Orotava throughout 12 municipalities, according to Manuel Miranda, an emergency coordinator for the Canary Islands. There have been no reports of any victims or damage to houses.
Miranda said that the Arafo-Candelaria Fire perimeter was almost contained, but the upcoming phase would be a long haul.
Work continues Tuesday in the Malabrigo area as Miranda said he was beginning to "see the light at the end of the tunnel," following the seventh day of fighting the fire.
Firefighting efforts in the Izana area, southwest of Arafo, were also captured on video by EIRIF, a fire service of the Canary Islands.
The fire, which had burned over 50 square miles, was contributing to unhealthy air quality in some parts of the island, local officials said.