What is the location of the wildfire?

On October 5, 2023, authorities on Tenerife Island evacuated 3,000 people from their homes as a wildfire grew overnight (1)(2).

The forest fire, which burned through an area already hit by fire in August, became a threat to homes when high winds and temperatures fueled its growth overnight.

Tenerife is a tourist island in the Canary Islands, Spain.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

Evacuations were ordered for two towns on Tenerife Island:

• Santa Ursala, on the northeast of the island, was evacuated when fires reached the city.
• La Orotava was pre-emptively evacuated.

Concentrations of poor air quality in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range were detected in the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

The fire is burning in national park woodlands adjacent to Mount Telde volcano. The August fire was a low threat to people and under control but wasn’t fully extinguished. It’s expected that stable, cooler weather coupled with rain will help end the fire. There is also less fuel in the area than there was in the summer.

However, it’s uncertain when cooler weather will return and the fire will be under control. Meanwhile, soldiers and firefighters are actively trying to extinguish flames threatening homes and businesses on the island.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Two cities have been evacuated near the fire. There is no word on when the evacuated can return home.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.