VIDEO: El Hierro wildfire stabilised after burning 9.5 hectares
One of the wildfire outbreaks that began in El Hierro yesterday, Saturday, has been extinguished, while the main outbreak, which has affected around 9.5 hectares of forest, has now been stabilised, according to the island’s president, Alpidio Armas.
The fire started shortly after 2:15pm in the area of Montaña de Masilva, in the municipality of El Pinar, and spread to create a secondary front at the Mirador de Las Playas, around 8km away. A vehicle also caught fire, leaving one person injured. Both of those smaller outbreaks have since been extinguished.
Armas pointed out that the blaze began “in exactly the same spot where the great fire of 2006 occurred,” raising suspicions about its cause. He also praised the “rapid intervention of aerial resources,” which he said was decisive in bringing the situation under control.
Strong firefighting response
In total, nine aircraft were deployed, including three helicopters from the Canary Islands’ specialist wildfire brigades (EIRIF), two from La Palma’s BRIF, the Tenerife-based 9D helicopter, one from El Hierro’s GES unit, and an Air Tractor water bomber from La Gomera. Around 50 personnel, 10 ground brigades, and five fire engines were also mobilised.
The island’s emergency coordination centre (CECOPIN) ordered the preventive evacuation of the Hoya del Morcillo campsite, while the HI-4 road between San Andrés and El Pinar was temporarily closed but later reopened.
The El Pinar Town Hall asked residents to remain indoors on Saturday afternoon, to avoid travelling through forested areas, and to use water responsibly, stressing that “the absolute priority is the extinction of the fire.” They also advised residents to keep windows and doors shut to prevent smoke from entering homes, and to ensure elderly people, children, and vulnerable individuals stayed safe and hydrated.
A different scenario from 2006
Unlike the devastating wildfire of 2006, current conditions have been more favourable, with no wind and lower temperatures making firefighting efforts easier. “We must remain cautious, but there is a good chance it will be fully controlled and extinguished soon,” said Armas.
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, confirmed he is in contact with the island’s authorities and urged the public to follow official information channels and the instructions of emergency services.
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