Images show 'complex' wildfire burning through Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands
The island of Tenerife is facing “the most complex wildfire ever witnessed" in the Spanish archipelago, said Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo at a press conference on Thursday.
Wildfire burns through Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands
Firefighters can be seen battling the flames as they burn in a roadside forest. (Courtesy: Rosa Davila via Storyful)
TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain – Photos and videos on Tenerife show a wildfire eating through a mountain forest while firefighters try to contain and extinguish the flames.
Located near the northwestern coast of Africa, Tenerife is part of Spain’s Canary Islands.
Map showing the location of Tenerife.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
The island of Tenerife is facing "the most complex wildfire ever witnessed" in the Spanish archipelago, said Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo at a press conference on Thursday.
Clavijo noted that the night of August 16 to 17 proved "extremely challenging" and that the "fear of losing control over the fire had become a reality."
In one of the videos, the wildfire is burning on a mountaintop and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Wildfire on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 16, 2023.
(Escolástico Gil via Storyful / FOX Weather)
Other images show the flames up-close, with firefighters trying to tame the flames.
SPAIN'S DROUGHT-PLAGUED OLIVE OIL CROPS SEEN FROM SPACE
On Thursday, officials said more than 370 troops were assisting with the flames.
![Firefighters fighting wildfire in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 16, 2023.]()
Image 1 of 4Firefighters fighting wildfire in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 16, 2023. (@AT_Brif / Twitter)
![Wildfires on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023.]()
Image 2 of 4Wildfire on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023. (@AT_Brif / Twitter)
![Wildfires on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023.]()
Image 3 of 4Wildfire on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023. (@AT_Brif / Twitter)
![Wildfires on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023.]()
Image 4 of 4Wildfire on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023. (@AT_Brif / Twitter)
They added that at least 17 aircraft were assisting with containing the fire, as well.
The tweet below shows an up-close look at an aircraft dropping water on the flames.
The photo below shows a plane dropping water on recently burned areas of a mountain in Tenerife.
Wildfire on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. August 17, 2023.
(@AT_Brif / Twitter / FOX Weather)
As of Thursday, the affected area is more than 6,400 acres and covers six municipalities, according to officials.