A devastating forest fire on the Spanish island of La Palma has led to the evacuation of at least 4,000 individuals, announced authorities on Sunday, adding to Europe’s challenges during an ongoing heatwave.
The fire erupted in the early hours of Saturday in El Pinar de Puntagorda, a wooded area in the northern region of the Canary Island. As the blaze intensified, residents from the villages of Puntagorda and neighboring Tijarafe were compelled to flee for their safety.
To combat the wildfire, ten aerial units and 300 firefighters were deployed on the ground. Their collective efforts aimed to regain control over the situation on La Palma, which is part of the Spanish archipelago located off the coast of western Africa.
The fire’s relentless advance resulted in the destruction of at least 13 houses, as reported by Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands. Clavijo addressed the resistance encountered by some locals reluctant to leave their homes, urging everyone to act responsibly during this crisis.
Authorities estimated that the fire has already affected over 4,650 hectares (approximately 114,904 acres) of land.
Meanwhile, on Tenerife, another island in the Canary archipelago, a separate forest fire broke out on Saturday. This incident forced 50 individuals to evacuate and consumed around 60 hectares of land, according to official sources.
King Felipe VI of Spain reached out to President Clavijo on Saturday, expressing his support for the people of La Palma during this challenging time, as confirmed by the Spanish royal household.
Following a volcanic eruption in September 2021, this forest fire marks the first natural crisis encountered by the island. The eruption, which lasted for three months, resulted in the destruction of over 2,000 buildings and the displacement of thousands of residents as lava flowed from the Cumbre Vieja volcano. The island remained covered in ash until the volcanic activity finally ceased.
