The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands activates the alert situation due to the risk of fires in the western islands and Gran Canaria, starting this Tuesday
Citizens are reminded that, in the event of any risk situation or detection of smoke or fire, they can contact the emergency service, through 1-1-2, or the Insular Emergency Coordination Center (CECOPIN) at 922 14 15 01
The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has decreed, as of this Tuesday, June 30, the entry into force of the alert situation due to the risk of forest fires in the western islands and Gran Canaria.
For this reason, the president of the Cabildo, Casimiro Curbelo, called for citizen responsibility and compliance with the prevention measures established by the administrations, in order to exercise extreme caution, avoiding any action that could trigger a fire.
For his part, the insular counselor for Emergencies and Civil Protection, Héctor Cabrera, reported that the human resources available to the emergency device in the surveillance phase have already been activated.
Observations
The weather forecast points to a moderate increase in maximum temperatures, becoming notable in the midlands of La Gomera. 34 degrees may be reached or exceeded in the medians of the southeast, south and west of La Gomera.
The thermal inversion will be around 500 meters, and may locally descend to 300 meters, favoring the presence of very warm, very dry air in the midlands and summits. The relative humidity will drop below 30%, increasing the risk associated with this episode. The episode will tend to progressively subside starting Wednesday, July 1.
As for the wind, a moderate trade is expected with intervals of strong gusts that will intensify in the coming hours with gusts from the northeast that can be very strong and that will mainly affect low areas of the southeast and west slopes of the most important islands. Gusts can locally exceed 90 kilometers per hour in La Gomera.
As for the sea, swells are expected from the north with waves of up to two meters with strong swells, with areas of rough seas on the west coast of La Gomera.
Recommendations to the population
The population is recommended to follow the advice established by the Directorate of Security and Emergencies for alert by fire risk.
To prevent a fire from breaking out, it is important not to throw lit cigarette butts, matches or trash in wooded and forest areas. Furthermore, flying firecrackers, firecrackers or devices that contain fire should not be thrown in danger areas, even in open fields, nor on agricultural land or in residential areas surrounded by forests.
In order to protect homes, it is essential to maintain a clean strip free of dry vegetation and waste around them, as well as in undeveloped plots. Furthermore, you should never camp outside the areas designated for this purpose, especially in areas away from access roads.
Likewise, to avoid fires it is essential to follow the limitations established by the Cabildo and the town councils, both in terms of access to the forest area and the work that must be avoided in these areas until this risk situation ends.
Likewise, citizens are reminded that, in the event of any risk situation or detection of smoke or fire, they can contact the emergency service, through the 1-1-2, or with the Insular Emergency Coordination Center (CECOPIN) at 922 14 15 01.
Firefighting operation 2026
For the fire prevention and extinguishing campaign for the summer of 2026, valid until October 31, the Cabildo of La Gomera has a reinforced operation made up of more than 200 troops and an investment that exceeds 2.5 million euros.
The entire operation is coordinated through CECOPIN and functions as a single team, with personnel from different administrations and entities that act under criteria of security, effectiveness and organization. Preventive work has been intensified in ravines, sensitive areas and areas of interface between mountains and population, with special attention to Vallehermoso, Hermigua, Valle Gran Rey and San Sebastián, as well as the hamlets in the midlands and high areas.
Regarding human resources, this campaign has, for prevention, action and surveillance tasks, personnel from the State Security Corps and Forces, Volunteer Firefighters of Valle Gran Rey and Volunteer Firefighters of La Gomera, Civil Protection, Anaga Emergency Aid, Foundation of General Socio-Sanitary Services of La Gomera, Red Cross, Tragsa, EIRIF, Environment Unit of the Cabildo, and National Park.
In 2026, there will be around twenty firefighting vehicles and two aerial means based on the island, to which surveillance, coordination and supply resources are added, such as drones and portable rafts to facilitate the operation of the aerial means. In addition, training actions aimed at security forces, volunteers and technical personnel are reinforced, with the aim of improving response to emergency situations.
