Authorities in Tenerife have issued a warning urging residents and visitors to the island to exercise extreme caution amid serious concerns for public safety
Officials in Tenerife have warned travellers to avoid mountain areas on the island due to serious safety concerns. The Tenerife Cabildo has lifted the Insular Emergency Plan that was in place, but is still advising visitors to keep away from mountain areas. Following serious storms on the island, there are safety concerns about the ongoing risk of falling trees and branches. Authorities have said that due to these concerns over public safety, most of the ‘key hiking trails’ that lead to Mount Teide, including the popular Teleforo Bravo trail, will remain closed for the next 10 days. This is a precautionary measure that’s been taken as a result of upcoming weather predictions.
According to Canarian Weekly, the decision to keep the trails closed has been taken following updated weather forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency. With warnings of upcoming storms prompting the Tenerife Cabildo to shut campsites, woodland paths, and recreational areas. The government has issued a pre-alert status based around State Meteorological Agency predictions for the incoming weather. The authorities have ‘strongly urged’ both residents on Tenerife and visitors to be extremely cautious and ‘avoid unnecessary travel’, with particular focus put on avoiding any of the island’s summit areas.
It comes as Tenerife has been under ‘extreme’ red alerts for wild fires in recent days. Last week, Aemet, Spain’s national weather forecaster, covered huge swathes of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote with “extreme” red warnings for wildfires. And by Saturday, these warnings will cover larger sections of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote – islands that are incredibly popular for Brits looking to catch a spot of winter sun.
According to experts, Southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria will remain under extreme alerts, with the risk lowered by Sunday in most islands, apart from Tenerife and Fuerteventura, where the red alert will still remain.