Canary Islands put on 'high alert' as Brit tourists warned to take caution

A 'high alert' warning has been issued across five popular hotspots in the Canary Islands, including Tenerife. Authorities across the tourist-riddled archipelago, located off the coast of northwestern Africa, have urged tourists and locals to take 'extreme caution' as high temperatures and dry, windy weather conditions have increased the risk of wildfires.

Temperatures are expected to reach a scorching 34C in parts of the region in the following days, while highs of 37C have been forecast for Gran Canaria. Meanwhile, strong winds above 30km per hour are also slated to shift across the islands.

On Monday, July 28, at 8am, level one prevention measures were reportedly activated in Tenerife, while wildfire alerts were also extended to El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. At the time of writing, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura seem to have dodged the alert.

According to local news site Canarian Weekly, the Canary Islands Government has implemented the INFOCA wildfire emergency plan, which prohibits those on the island from having BBQs or open flames in recreational areas or outdoor spaces. Tourists and residents are also prohibited from smoking in forest areas, trails, campsites, or public use areas in the mountains.

Even spark-producing tools such as chainsaws and strimmers are said to be banned during the level one restrictions, as well as letting off fireworks in or near forested zones. "Residents and visitors are also strongly advised to avoid entering forested areas during the alert period," the publication added.

The alert follows a wildfire outbreak in La Palma, which is believed to have been caused by human activity. Authorities have therefore urged the public to 'remain vigilant' and report any signs of smoke or fire immediately by calling 112.

Back in 2023, forest fires in Tenerife ripped through more than 15,000 hectares of land and resulted in around 12,000 people being forced to evacuate. Again, this blaze was blamed on arsonists, but shows just how quickly fires on the archipelago can spread - especially during the dry season.

The warning follows a slew of deadly wildfires that have spread across Europe during the sweltering summer months and resulted in tragedy. As previously reported, more than 1,500 people were recently evacuated in Turkey as blazes continues to ravage regions across the country.

One firefighter has tragically died while attempting to quash an inferno in the country's fourth most populated city, Bursa. The city's mayor Mustafa Bozbey added that more than 7,000 acres of land had been scorched by the fatal fire too.

Thousands of people were also forced to flee as wildfires hit two major Greek islands and villages near Athens this month - with two homes being burn down to the ground in the blaze. You can read more about the Turkey and Greece wildfires here.

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