Brits heading to Tenerife are being warned that emergency restrictions are now in force across parts of the island as a fierce heatwave dramatically raises the risk of wildfires.
Holidaymakers could find barbecues banned, campsites and beauty spots closed, and access to some mountain roads and walking routes restricted under an edict from Tenerife’s Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife). The restrictions were announced by the Island Council and reported by local newspaper Diario de Avisos. They came into force at 8am on Thursday, July 30, and will remain in place until the wildfire risk subsides.
The move comes as Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) warned parts of the island could reach 36C on Friday, with calima – Saharan dust carried on hot, dry air – expected to make conditions even more oppressive. The forecast was reported by Tenerife newspaper El Día.
Tenerife is one of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations, attracting millions of UK visitors each year, meaning many families travelling during the summer holidays could be affected by the temporary restrictions.
What it means for holidaymakers
Anyone planning to head into Tenerife’s mountains, picnic in forest areas or visit some of the island’s beauty spots should check the latest advice before travelling.
Some recreational areas and campsites have been closed, while driving on certain forest tracks and taking part in organised events in affected areas has also been suspended.
The Island Council has divided Tenerife into two wildfire risk zones, with the strictest measures covering the south of the island and parts of the Anaga mountains.
What’s banned under Level 1 restrictions?
According to the Cabildo de Tenerife, the following activities are now prohibited across the northern slopes of Tenerife and North Anaga:
- Lighting barbecues, bonfires or any other recreational fires.
- Using portable gas stoves outdoors.
- Burning agricultural or forestry waste.
- Smoking in recreational areas, campsites, forest tracks, trails, roads, viewpoints and other public-use forest facilities.
- Using machinery capable of generating sparks, including brush cutters, welding equipment and similar tools.
- Fireworks displays and the use of pyrotechnics.
Extra restrictions in Level 2 areas
Stronger measures in other areas
Even tougher measures have been introduced across the southern slopes of Tenerife and South Anaga.
These include bans on:
- Recreational driving on forest tracks.
- Access to affected campsites, camping areas and recreational sites.
- Sporting events on forest tracks, trails and cross-country routes.
- Traditional rural pilgrimages, known as romerías, through forest areas.
- Forestry work.
- Shotgun hunting across the island.
- Access to the Chimaque Viewpoint in the Anaga mountains.
The Cabildo de Tenerife said the restrictions are designed to minimise the risk of any activity sparking a wildfire and to ensure emergency services can respond quickly if a blaze breaks out.
It urged residents and visitors to exercise “extreme caution” and avoid any behaviour that could start a fire, even outside the areas covered by the strictest restrictions.
The council also warned that roads may have to be closed if wildfires occur in order to give emergency crews access. Anyone who spots smoke or signs of a fire is urged to contact the Canary Islands’ 112 Emergency and Security Coordination Centre immediately and provide the location as accurately as possible.
Temperatures could hit 36C
The emergency measures coincide with another spell of intense heat forecast for the island. According to AEMET, temperatures are expected to reach 32C to 34C across large areas of Tenerife on Friday, with some eastern, southern and western parts of the island potentially seeing highs of 35C or even 36C.
Forecasters also expect calima to affect higher ground across the island. The fine Saharan dust can reduce visibility and make the air feel heavy and uncomfortable, particularly for people with respiratory conditions, as reported by El Día.
Night-time temperatures are also forecast to remain unusually high, staying between 22C and 24C in some of the warmest areas.
