Saturday, 17 August 2019 19:20

Making Sense Of Gran Canaria Forest Fires

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Forest fires in Gran Canaria: Information and advice Forest fires in Gran Canaria: Information and advice

Gran Canaria forest fires are spectacular events but the island is well-prepared to deal with them and most are extinguished before they get out of control. Tourists and visitors are not at risk as Gran Canaria wildfires happen up in the mountains a long way from the resorts and the airport.

What causes Gran Canaria forest fires?

There are three causes of forest fires in Gran Canaria.

The first cause is nature; very rare natural fires are caused by lightning strikes or sparks caused by rockslides. There hasn't been one for decades.

The second cause is human mistakes; fires started accidentaly by people. They are much more common. Most are caused by people starting small fires to clear land or burn rubbish. Others start due to sparks from barbeques and welding (like the recent fire close to Artenara). Others start due to bottles left in the forests, discarded cigarettes, and sparks from offroad vehicles hitting rocks. 

The third cause of fires in Gran Canaria is arson; fires set deliberately by firebugs. These are tragically common in Gran Canaria.

The huge 2007 forest fire was started by a fire warden who was worried that there hadn't been a fire for several years and that he would lose his job.

He's in jail! 

Why do Gran Canaria forest fires get so big?

Most fires in Gran Canaria don't get out of control. However, when a fire gets into the forests or mountain scrub at specific times of year and during extreme weather conditions it can turn into a big fire. 

There is a basic rule of forest fires in areas like the Canary Islands and California that is called the 30 Rule. Any fire that occurs when the the temperature is above 30ºC, the slope of the angle of terrain is over 30% and the windspeed is over 30kmph is virtually uncontrollable.

Unfortunatley, these conditions occur frequently during the summer months in the highlands of Gran Canaria and is why some fires in Gran Canaria get out of control even though the island is on high alert.

There are two main reasons for the size and speed of Gran Canaria wildfires. The first is that they almost always start in the summer when temperatures are high and the wind is strong in the mountains. Once a fire starts it spreads fast.

The second is that Gran Canaria's pine forests have evolved to survive forest fires by burning fast. When Canary Pines burn, their needles burn fast so that their trunks and buds are not damaged by the flames. This causes spectacular flames and fast moving fires but means that the trees don't die. This is why the island's forests recover so fast after a seemingly catastrophic fire.

10 years after the huge 2007 fire it is almost impossible to tell which areas burned. Even the natural areas damaged by the forest fires during summer of 2019 will be well on the way to recovery after a wet winter. 

Who fights Gran Canaria forest fires

When a rural fire in Gran Canaria detected it is labelled a level one fire and local firefighting teams rush to put it out. Almost all of the dozens of fires that start in Gran Canaria's rural areas every year are put out before they spread. If a fire gets out of control it becomes a level two fire and the Gran Canaria government takes over. It then calls in support from fire-fighting teams all over the island and can ask for hydroplane support from mainland Spain. 

Because of the rugged terrain and steep valleys, most firefighting work has to be done by people on the ground with support from helicopters dropping water collected from reservoirs and special water tanks dotted around the highlands. The hydroplanes are a big help with large fires but can only recharge their tanks in the sea so are not as effective as a team of helicopters. 

Because of Gran Canaria's terrain and natural vulnerability to forest fires the local firemen and forestry organisations are experienced and effective and do a superb job of fighting wildfires on the island. 

Are Gran Canaria fires dangerous?

One mountain resident died during the 2017 fire that also burned parts of Cruz de Tejeda but fatalities and inuries are rare because the island has a well organised warning and evacuation system. Everyone who lives in areas vulnerable to fires is allowed to clear bushes and dry grass from a wide area around their homes so wildfires rarely burn houses in Gran Canaria's mountains.

When a major fire gets out of control and threatens a town or village there is an effective evacuation system in place and all locals know exactly what to do in case of a fire. 

As a visitor, if you are in Gran Canaria's highlands and see a forest fire the best thing you can do is head in the opposite direction as fast as you can. If you find a fire, it is more important to report it immediatley than it is to put yourself at risk and try to put it out.

Alex Says: If you hear about a Gran Canaria forest fire during or before your holiday, you have little to worry about. The areas of the island vulnerable to fires are a long way away from the south coast, the airport and the capital city and there is no danger of them reaching the resorts. The only effect even a big fire will have on your holiday is that your tour of the highlands will be cancelled. 

How can we prevent Gran Canaria forest fires

The main way tourists and residents can help to prevent forest fires is to be very careful when you are in natural areas. Don't drop cigarette butts, start camp fires or BBQs, or leave glass bottles behind.

When the temperatures spike during summer hot spells (when there is a yellow or orange alert) it is best to stay out of the mountains altogether. Partly because of the fire risk and partly because it isn't all that pleasant up then in 40ºC heat in the first place. Far more people end up in hospital in Gran Canaria due to heat exhaustion than fire injuries. 

The island does need to do more to clear fallen pine needles, pine cones and dry scrub from areas vulnerable to fires. The pine needles used to be collected by local people to stuff matresses and to use as animal beddig but this tradition has died out.

It is likely that volunteers will be able to help with these tasks in coming years. 

What can you do to help during a Gran Canaria forest fire? 

The main thing you can do is stay away from the fire. This guarantees your safety and means that nobody has to stop fighting the fire to help you. It also keeps the roads clear so that the island's incredible firefighting teams are free to move around. 

Because Gran Canaria is vulnerable to summer fires it has a highly organised and effective system of dealing with fires. There are teams of highly-trained firefighters based in vulnerable areas with their equipment ready, helicopters ready to take off, and water tanks that are kept full throughout the summer to guarantee that the helicopters can access water to drop on the flames.

How can you help after a Gran Canaria forest fire?

When there is a fire in Gran Canaria many people want to do anything they can to help and there are fundraising efforts to raise money for local people, animals and firefighters. This is a noble reaction and there are always people who need support after a major wildfire in Gran Canaria.

However, there is already an effective local system of looking after animals affected by wildfires (during August 2019, 50 local vets were mobilised and ready to head into the highlands within hours of the fire starting but fortunately they weren't needed). The local evacuation and suport system is also effective and thorough so it is very unlikely that locals will need charitable donations for things like food, clothes and schoolbooks.

That said, after major fires there are always people in need and a donation to registered local charities, or fundraising event affiliated with local charities that get help direct to those in need, will always be appreciated. 

The best ways to help prevent Gran Canaria fires

There is a local saying that summer fires are best put out during the winter. What this means is that the best way to prevent fires in Gran Canaria is to train locals to look after the forests, clear excess scrub and to manage arable land so that it doesn't burn during the summer.

The Fundación Foresta, a remarkable Gran Canaria-based charity, does a huge amount of work to protect Gran Canaria's forest. It's main aim is to reforest areas of the island that have lost their trees with the right kind of native trees, manage new and exisiting forests, train local people in forestry management and educate the island's children about the value of their forests.

Another valuable way Gran Canaria visitors can help prevent forest fires is to get up into the highlands and support the local economy. Feast on the local cheese, buy the island honey and wine, and eat in local restaurants that use local produce. This maintains the local economy and means that less land goes unmaintained and at risk of fire. 

Read 8566 times Last modified on Sunday, 18 August 2019 11:00
Published in News
Login to post comments

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 7333 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.