Holidaymakers warned over travelling to Tenerife amid ‘heightened risk’

UK holidaymakers are being alerted to a Tenerife travel warning as the Canary Islands grapple with drought conditions, raising the risk of severe wildfires.

With summer on the horizon, tourists are advised to stay vigilant. Spanish officials have met to discuss safety concerns over conditions that could spark forest fires, similar to ones which ignited in the holiday destination in 2023.

On Wednesday, June 12, key figures including Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo, Security Councillor Nieves Barreto, and Territorial Policy Councillor Manuel Miranda convened at the presidency headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to assess the weather situation and available resources.

During the meeting, Mr Miranda warned: “This summer poses a greater risk for large fires compared to last year.” Meteorological forecasts suggest there’s a 70 per cent chance of above-average temperatures hitting the Canaries this summer.

Last year, Tenerife was hit by its most devastating fires in four decades, leading to the evacuation of thousands and consuming about 6 per cent of the island over two months, reports Birmingham Live.

The 2023 wildfire, confirmed to have been started intentionally in an area difficult for firefighters to access, was exacerbated by high temperatures and strong winds, emergency services reported from the popular tourist destination.

The Canary Islands have been grappling with a decade-long drought, exacerbated by over two years of abnormally high temperatures, sometimes surpassing the average by 3C. The past year saw only half the anticipated rainfall, resulting in a precipitation deficit of 49 per cent, six percentage points more than the previous year.

As of now, the UK Foreign Office has not provided specific guidance regarding the wildfires in Tenerife. However, its website offers general advice on dealing with extreme heat in Spain and safety measures during forest fires.

Tenerife is one of the primary Canary Islands, along with Lanzarote.

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