The Canary Islands Government has issued a pre-alert for a high risk of wildfires across five islands, as intense heat and dry conditions raise fears of blazes in the region.
The warning, which was activated today, Sunday, affects Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, and Gran Canaria until further notice.
Officials say the move follows a sharp drop in rainfall combined with soaring temperatures and the arrival of calima – a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara.
The alert is part of the islands’ official wildfire response plan, INFOCA, activated when conditions are deemed likely to fuel the spread of forest fires. The Directorate General of Emergencies made the decision under Decree 60/2014, which governs emergency response procedures in the archipelago.
It marks the start of the high-risk season, as summer begins with unusually dry and dust-laden air.
Residents and tourists are being urged to take precautions, avoid activities that could spark fires, and report any signs of smoke to emergency services immediately.
With thousands of hectares of forest across the islands vulnerable, authorities are calling for heightened vigilance in the coming days and weeks.
