The current wildfires in the Canary Island of Tenerife have been described as “the most complicated fire in 40 years”.
Fires started on Wednesday, with thousands of people told to stay indoors for safety.
Tenerife-based journalist Cliodna O’Flynn told Newstalk Breakfast little has changed since Wednesday and 7,000 have now been ordered to leave their homes.
“The President of the regional government said it is the most complicated wildfire he has seen in 40 years,” she said.
“You're dealing with very mountainous areas with ridges and valleys, so it’s hard for water drops and helicopters to navigate.”
Ms O’Flynn explained the Tenerife tourism Board has said “no tourist zones are in danger” as the fires are “far away”.
“However, it is still considered erratic by the head of the Forest Brigade,” she said.
Travel journalist Eoghan Corry told Newstalk it's important to check travel insurance before going on holiday if you wish to change flights.
"Airlines in some cases have been good with date changes, others have not," he said. "There is no absolute right to cancel your holiday because you are concerned about holidays and get your money back."
There have been no recorded human fatalities due to the wildfires, Ms O’Flynn reported.
Emergency crews and firefighters walk to the fire advancing through the forest near the town of El Rosario in Tenerife, Canary Islands, 18/08/2023. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo“This is down to the expertise and the preparedness of the firefighting teams,” she said.
“There are firefighters from almost all islands here.
“[Fires are] almost an inevitability over the summer.
“So, while the fire is out of control in a sense, they know what they're doing.”
Over 350 firefighters and members of the Spanish army are tackling the blazes.
“If the priority is saving human lives, they're doing a very good job at that,” Ms O’Flynn said.
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