Wildfire warnings issued in the Canary Islands as millions prepare to holiday there

As millions of holidaymakers hole to caput to nan Canary Islands this summer, authorities person issued a wildfire pre-alert crossed nan archipelago.

The warning, announced by nan General Directorate of Emergencies connected Sunday, applies to tourer hotspots El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

It comes arsenic nan islands participate a high-risk occurrence play pursuing nan bedewed season, arsenic hot, barren winds known arsenic nan ‘calima’ statesman blowing successful from nan Sahara Desert.

Fires are common, but they haven’t slowed tourism

The consequence of wildfire is thing caller for nan Canary Islands.

The volcanic terrain, Mediterranean ambiance and fire-adapted vegetation - plants that person evolved to thrive successful fire-prone environments - make them susceptible to summertime blazes, and scientists opportunity wildfires are portion of nan archipelago’s ecological rhythm.

Some of nan worst occurred successful 2023, erstwhile forest fires ravaged Tenerife, destroying much than 15,000 hectares of onshore and forcing 12,000 group to evacuate. The blaze was later recovered to person been started by arsonists.

This year, officials are urging visitors and locals alike to return utmost caution, informing against launching fireworks adjacent forests and discarding cigarettes connected barren ground.

But moreover arsenic nan occurrence warnings rotation in, nan Canaries’ entreaty shows nary signs of slowing down.

In 2024, nan islands welcomed astir 18 cardinal tourists, including a record-breaking 15.5 cardinal world arrivals. Among them, British travellers led nan way, signaling 6.3 cardinal visits – up 500,000 from 2023.

Concerns astir overtourism equine amid grounds arrivals

While nan Canary Islands proceed to pull record numbers of tourists, residents are progressively voicing concerns astir overtourism.

In April 2024, tens of thousands of islanders participated successful protests, holding signs that publication “the Canary Islands person a limit” while rallying against rising lodging costs, biology harm and nan strain connected nationalist services.

Over Easter this year, astir 80,000 hospitality workers successful Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierrowalked out successful a conflict pinch unions complete pay.

The surge successful short-term rentals has been particularly contentious. Locals person reported getting priced retired of their neighbourhoods arsenic properties are converted into holiday  lets, nan costs of surviving soars and wages stagnate.

Despite these concerns, tourism remains a important portion of nan Canary Islands’ economy, accounting for astir 35 per cent of its GDP.

Tenerife still reigns supreme

After welcoming 7 cardinal visitors successful 2024, Tenerife remains nan astir visited island.

Its year-round sunshine and wide beaches support it a patient favourite among families, particularly during nan UK’s summertime schoolhouse break and passim nan winter months.

As nan highest summertime play picks up, section tourism boards person made nary denotation that nan occurrence pre-alerts will disrupt recreation plans.

But authorities stay focused connected prevention this year. 

More than 2,000 firefighters are connected standby. Meanwhile, nan authorities has distributed elaborate information advice, urging group to hole a go-bag, enactment informed and travel emergency removal aliases shelter-in-place instructions if fires erupt.