10.08.07. The Island Government has issued the following update on the situation following the forest fires which broke out on the North and North Western slopes of Tenerife on 30 July 2007.

Current situation fires

The Cabildo's forest fire brigade continues working to ensure that any hot ashes are fully extinguished and are hosing down the affected areas. For this reason the fire has not yet been officially declared as extinguished.

Compensation

On Monday 6 August the Tenerife Cabildo began to hand over emergency financial compensation to aid the victims of the blaze from the Cabildo's Centro de Servicios Cuidadanos in Icod de los Vinos. This compensation is compatible with other compensation packages available from the different public administrations and is designed to assist people who have lost their homes or have suffered losses to crops, livestock etc as a direct result of the blazes.

Applications for financial aid are being processed by the Cabildo’s Instituto de Atención Social y Sociosantiaria (IASS) following the same procedure as was implemented after the flood emergency of 31 March. The Cabildo is coordinating with the Social Services Departments of local councils and staff at the Cabildo’s external offices (Extensión Agraria).

Financial aid is 3000 euros per family unit including couples who lives together providing damages to houses or farms amount to over 6000 euros. Anyone wishing to apply for aid should first go to their local town hall who will send a report to the IASS.

Roads

All roads are now open on Tenerife as per usual.

Forest tracks, footpaths and recreation areas

The Cabildo’s ban on vehicles and walkers still applies to the forest and footpaths which lead to the affected areas. This is to assist fire brigades with the task of controlling and extinguishing the fire and, in particular, for safety reasons to prevent any injuries or accidents. Access is restricted in the ten affected districts and only local residents will be allowed to go through. The following recreation areas are still closed off: La Tahona, Barranco Fuente Pedro, El Lagar, Las Hayas, Arenas Negras, San José de Los Llanos, Los Pedregales and the camps  Barranco de La Arena and El Lagar.

The following recreation areas are open to the public and barbeque grills may be used: Chanajiga, Ramón Caminero, La Caldera, Las Lagunetillas de Santa Ursula, Hoya del Abade, La Vica, Las Calderetas, Lomo de La Jara, Las Raíces, Los Brezos, Los Frailes, El Contador, Las Lajas, El Llano de Los Viejos and La Quebrada and the camp Madre de Agua.

Fireworks etc.

The use of fire crackers and fireworks is strictly prohibited in the mountains and woods. Under exceptional circumstances the Cabildo’s Environment Department will issue permits depending on the level of risk of forest fire in each specific area. In areas where there is little or no risk such as on the coast, permits will be processed as usual by the local authorities.

Hunting

The Cabildo de Tenerife will officially open the Tenerife hunting season on Saturday 11 August under the terms of the Canary Islands Government’s order of 19 June 2007. It was postponed due to the forest fires. No shooting is allowed in the affected areas and within a 200 metre limit of the fire zone (in accordance with the Canary Islands Hunting Law).