Forest fires have hit La Palma on the Canary Islands
After a period of calm in the forest fires in Spain, an outbreak began this Saturday (15) on La Palma in the Canary Islands, which has already burned more than 2,000 hectares and forced part of a town of more than 2,500 inhabitants to leave their homes .
This new fire is happening on the island that suffered from the eruption of a volcano from September to December 2021, also on the west side of the island but a little further north.
“The fire started this morning in the municipality of Puntagorda and the area affected already covers more than 2,000 hectares,” the regional government of the Canary Islands said in a statement.
1 of 3 View of a forest fire near houses in Puntagorda, on the Canary Island of La Palma, this Saturday, July 15, 2023. — Photo: Europa Press via AP View of a forest fire near houses in Puntagorda, on the Canary Island Island of La Palma Palma Canaria, this Saturday 15 July 2023. Photo: Europa Press via AP 2 of 3 Photo taken on July 15, 2023 on the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canary Islands shows the town of Tijarafe surrounded by smoke from a forest fire near La Caldera de Taburiente National Park. — Photo: STRINGER/AFP Photo taken on July 15, 2023 on the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canary Islands shows the town of Tijarafe surrounded by smoke from a forest fire near La Caldera de Taburiente National Park. — Photo: STRINGER/AFP
The fire “already affects the community of Tijarafe, where the population center was evacuated,” the regional government added of that place, which has more than 2,500 residents, “without causing any injuries”.
Tijarafe Mayor Marcos Lorenzo told public television TVE that “not the entire city” was evacuated and that it was “very difficult” to know the exact number of people relocated.
About 300 land soldiers and a total of 10 air forces are taking part in the work to combat the outbreaks, and the Canary Islands government has asked the central executive for “two seaplanes” to come from the mainland.
The accommodation for the evacuees was built in the city of Tazacorte, the Red Cross reported.
3 out of 3 residents are watching this Saturday, July 15, 2023, a forest fire near Puntagorda on the Canary Island of La Palma. — Photo: Europa Press via AP Local residents watch a forest fire near Puntagorda on the Canary Island of La Palma. this Saturday 15 July 2023. Photo: Europa Press via AP
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), in 2022, in a particularly bad year, Spain recorded around 500 fires that destroyed more than 300,000 hectares.
According to EFFIS, almost 66,000 hectares were burned in Spain in 2023.
A worrying situation in a country hit by climate change, which has translated into more heat waves and less rain in recent years.
According to the Spanish Meteorological Agency, this spring was the hottest on record and the second driest.