Tourists and residents have been forced to evacuate as a huge forest fire blazes across the popular Spanish holiday island.
Around 4,000 people were evacuated yesterday (August 18) because of wildfires that, for the second time in a week, ravaged the countryside of one of Spain’s Canary Islands.
The latest blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon near the town of Valleseco on Gran Canaria island.
By yesterday afternoon, the fire had taken two different directions, burning more than 4,200 acres as it continued advancing, the provincial government said.
The island was experiencing temperatures close to 40C, humidity levels below 30pc and strong winds, which provide what experts call the “perfect storm” for wildfires.
While the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not issued a travel warning to Spain, the FCO has reviewed its information on the risk of forest fires.
The website advises the following: “Temperatures regularly reach over 40ºC in Spain during the summer months. These temperatures bring an increased risk of forest fires.
“Make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished and don’t leave empty bottles behind in woodland areas. Causing a forest fire is treated as a criminal offence in Spain even if unintentional. There are strict regulations across much of Spain against lighting outdoor barbecues in forest areas and penalties imposed include heavy fines.
“You should be aware that some regions prohibit the use of outdoor barbecues in public picnic areas during the summer months.”
