Tenerife wildfires: Tourists watch in horror as blaze spreads across island forcing thousands to evacuate
For just a small moment on Friday, the Canarian authorities thought they had Tenerife’s worst wildfire in over four decades under control.
But in the early hours of Saturday morning, the night sky was lit up by orange flames along the mountainous landscape.
The high winds whipped up the furious fires which started creeping toward homes and villages – putting lives at risk.
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Thousands evacuated from Tenerife
As we stepped out of our hotel in the morning, large chunks of ash were falling from the sky and the smell of smoke was apparent in the busy town of Puerto De La Cruz.
At first light, as emergency services continued to battle the blaze, officials on the ground were urging people to leave their homes.
A huge evacuation operation meant thousands have been forced to seek refuge, many leaving with very few belongings, mostly pets and animals.
The Canary Islands’ regional government said 4,000 more people were ordered to evacuate on Saturday. Another 4,500 people had already been moved out of harm’s way on Friday.
Emergency services fear the number of evacuees “could surpass 26,000”.
We met Anya, sitting with her dog at the police line, she watched as the thick smoke neared her home in the distance.
“You see this happening around the world and now this island is on fire,” she said. “Seeing the smoke come closer is very difficult.”
Anya
As she saw more fire engines heading towards the blaze, she said: “I have no emotions, I have no words about what is happening. We just have to hope that the emergency services do the job and save our homes. At least we are alive, that’s what matters.”
As well as the countless fire trucks winding their way up the steep roads towards the blaze, helicopters swooped in and out of the thick smoke carrying massive buckets of water.
The usual hustle and bustle of these villages was drowned out by the noise of three helicopters tackling the fire from above.
But this has been taking a toll on the firefighters here too.
It’s now four days since the fires started and Federico Linares, president of the regional fire service said many colleagues haven’t slept as the situation worsens.
Federico Linares
He told Sky News: “Right now it’s much more dangerous, it’s a very populated area where we are and there is danger. I know it’s very unfortunate for people to leave their homes and their belongings, but it would be sadder to lose a life.”
Further down, Jesus – who’s lived on this part of the island his whole life – watched the flames roaring in disbelief.
He said he has never seen anything like it before and was “sad” to see what was happening to his “beautiful island”.
Read more:
Will ‘prime fire season’ change our summer holidays forever?
What is the Fire Weather Index and how does it work?
Tenerife wildfire graphic
“I’m worried for all the locals. There are lots of farmers with land and animals that will be destroyed, the government needs to look after us,” he said.
Tenerife‘s popular tourist areas, particularly in the south, have so far been unaffected, but with the winds sending smoke into some busy towns, it’s unsettling for holidaymakers.
British school teachers, Holly and Dale travelled from St Albans, but said their holiday has been overshadowed by the wildfires.
Holly told Sky News: “We had one lovely day and then we woke up the following day and saw the fire at breakfast. It’s just terrifying, very very scary.”
Dale told us: “Waking up this morning was probably the worst day. Seeing all the ash in the swimming pool, the staff boarding everything up, the beds being taken up, it’s the end of the holiday really.”
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