PROVINCIA DE LAS PALMAS – After a night with a “favourable development” for the extinguishing work, the forest fire on the Canary Island of La Palma is still active on three fronts. The fire has now destroyed 4,600 hectares and more than 4,000 residents have been evacuated.
Of the three areas where the fire is concentrated, one is in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. In the case of the other two active points, the development of the fire is going as expected.
The fire service encountered problems in the national park due to “difficult access, heavy smoke and cloud cover”. However, the emergency services do expect the area to clear up during the day. The authorities have confirmed this on the Canarian radio and television broadcaster RTVC.
Also read: Large forest fire in La Palma
Currently, 530 people are involved in the extinguishing operations, coming from the Cabildo de La Palma, the Government of Canarias, the Spanish Government, the municipalities, the Guardia Civil, the Canarian Police and the Guardia Civil.
Better weather conditions
The president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, explained on Monday morning that “weather conditions contributed to the efforts of the team that worked during the night.” The active area is concentrated in the area of Cruz de Llano, behind the village of Tijarafe, and on the southern flank in the Caldera de Taburiente.
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, reported on Sunday that residents of several evacuated areas could return to their homes. At the moment, no civilians are in a dangerous area that could be directly affected by the fire.
Most of the evacuees return home
Most of the 4,200 evacuated – mainly residents of Puntagorda and Tijarafe – can return home, which is undoubtedly an indescribable relief, but at the same time creates uncertainty about what will happen next. Also, 71 animals, both pets and farm animals, have been taken care of in different areas of La Palma.
La Vanguardia writes that according to the fire brigade, the origin of the fire was the burning of a container.
