Tenerife Boosts Summer Wildfire Watch with Drones and Night Vision

Tenerife is reinforcing surveillance of its forests this summer with drones and night-vision helicopters to combat wildfires. The island council and the Ministry of Defence have renewed for the third consecutive year the so-called Operation Centinela (Sentry). This initiative will once again involve army ground patrols and this year incorporates new technological resources to improve prevention.

High-Risk Season Coverage

The agreement for the 2026 campaign was signed on Tuesday by the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, and the President of the Tenerife Council, Rosa Dávila. The operation will be active from 1 June to 30 September, coinciding with the months of highest risk for forest fires. During this period, units from the Army’s Canary Islands Brigade will deploy up to 10 daily ground patrols, working in eight-hour shifts on surveillance, deterrence, and liaison duties on the ground.

Technological Advancements for Faster Detection

The major new feature this year will be the incorporation of drones to carry out aerial surveillance over Tenerife’s mountains. These unmanned aerial systems will improve observation capacity, detect potential risks more quickly, and allow for a faster response to any outbreak of fire. Furthermore, the operation will maintain the option to activate additional air support, with up to two helicopters per intervention, strengthening response capabilities in particularly high-risk situations.

Night-Time and Hard-to-Reach Area Capability

Among the planned resources are helicopters equipped with night vision, a key tool for operating after dark in hard-to-access forest areas. During the event held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Madrid, Margarita Robles emphasised that this agreement reflects the close ties between the Armed Forces and citizens, especially in such a sensitive area as wildfire prevention and surveillance.

Collaboration Praised by Officials

The minister also stressed that protecting the territory and natural heritage is more effective when there is collaboration between different levels of government. For her part, Rosa Dávila defended the continuation of the agreement due to the good results obtained in previous campaigns and highlighted the shared commitment to protecting Tenerife’s forests and the safety of the population. She also thanked the Ministry of Defence and the Army for their involvement in an operation she considers key to preserving the island’s natural environment.

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Tenerife Boosts Summer Wildfire Watch with Drones and Night Vision