Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Tenerife activates Grade 1 forest fire risk measures in the south
Tenerife’s Cabildo activated preventive measures corresponding to Grade 1 forest fire risk in the south of the island on Monday 14 September, in response to changing weather conditions. The decision came into force at 1pm and will remain in place until a new resolution is issued.
Restrictions on activities that could spark a blaze
The measure introduces new restrictions on certain activities that could cause a forest fire. These include some of the actions routinely carried out in natural, agricultural and forestry areas, and the Cabildo has asked the public to take extra care over the coming days.
The island’s minister for Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, said the shift in weather conditions made it necessary to reinforce prevention in the highest-risk areas, and called on the public to show “maximum prudence and responsibility” by avoiding any activity that could generate fire, sparks or heat.
What the Grade 1 declaration prohibits
The Grade 1 declaration bans a range of activities within the forest fire risk zone in southern Tenerife. The main restrictions are:
• Lighting fires outdoors.
• Burning agricultural or forestry plant debris.
• Smoking in the areas affected by the measures.
• Using pyrotechnic material.
• Using machinery, tools or equipment capable of generating sparks, heat or electrical discharges where these could pose a fire risk.
The Cabildo is calling for particular caution with items and activities such as cigarettes, generators, electrical equipment and pyrotechnics, given their capacity to become a source of ignition in unfavourable weather conditions.
Precautions urged across the whole island
The island authority has extended its recommendation to take extra care to the whole of Tenerife, although the specific Grade 1 measures apply to the established risk zone in the south of the island.
Activating Grade 1 does not mean a widespread closure of forest areas, nor does it prevent all activity in the countryside. Some activities remain permitted because they are not subject to additional restrictions under this preventive level. These include forestry operations, access to viewpoints and the movement of motor vehicles along forest tracks. Recreational areas, camping zones and publicly managed campsites also remain open, as does walking and staying in the countryside, on trails and forest tracks. Recreational cycling and horse riding also continue to be allowed, as does driving on island roads and municipal streets. Owners of land, homes or infrastructure may likewise access their properties. As for hunting, it remains permitted without a shotgun.
Nevertheless, the Cabildo reminds the public that activities which remain authorised must be carried out with the necessary preventive measures and with the existing risk situation in mind.
Staying alert until conditions change
Beyond the specific prohibitions, the island authority’s advice is to avoid any behaviour that could trigger a forest fire. In this context, it asks people to pay particular attention to the use of tobacco, generators, electrical installations and equipment, pyrotechnics and any element that could produce a flame, heat or a spark.
The institution also urges private organisers of activities that remain permitted to adopt all necessary preventive measures to reduce the risk.
The Grade 1 activation will remain in force until the Cabildo issues a new resolution, meaning the conditions and restrictions may be modified depending on how the situation develops. The island authority also recommends checking Tenerife ON, both via its website and its mobile app, to find out the updated status of infrastructure, facilities and natural spaces that may be subject to restrictions because of this or other incidents.
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