Nine recreation areas and footpaths still closed

TF 436 Masca Buenavista del Norte road re-opens today [Monday 6]

The Cabildo de Tenerife will re-open the stretch of the TF 436 road from Masca to Buenavista sometime today [Monday 6] in the wake of the forest and bush fires which hit the area last week. Teams from the Cabildo’s forest fires brigade are continuing to bring spot fires under control and put out the flames and it is hoped that the operation will be completed this week. No vehicles are allowed access to forest tracks in the affected area and footpaths have also been closed to hikers in the region. The ban is in force in the ten districts struck by the fires to enable fire fighters to continue with their work and, above all, to prevent any risk to human life. Only local residents will be allowed access.

For safety reasons, the Cabildo has closed the following recreation areas until further notice: La Tahona, Barranco Fuente Pedro, El Lagar, Las Hayas, Arenas Negras, San José de Los Llanos, Los Pedregales and the camps at Barranco de La Arena and El Lagar. All the other recreation areas on the island are open to the public but extreme caution is urged with barbeques and cigarette butts due to the dry conditions.

Despite the fact that there are summer fiestas, the use of any kind of fireworks and explosives is strictly prohibited in all of the forests and villages affected by the blaze due to the risk of another fire wild fire breaking out in the mountains.

Meanwhile, residents who have are suffered financial losses valued at over 6000 euros can now receive initial emergency compensation of 3000 euros to help with the household’s income. Applications are being processed by the Cabildo’s social services department (IASS) in coordination with the social services departments of the local councils and staff at the Cabildo’s Extensión Agraria sections. Compensation will be paid to victims of the fire at the Centro de Servicios al Ciudadano del Cabildo in Icod de Los Vinos .