Tijarafe (La Palma) (EFE) They have concentrated the works this Monday, and in the Caldera de Taburiente, difficult to access, with around 200 hectares of the National Park already affected.
As reported at a press conference by those responsible for the operation, in Puntagorda only the El Roque neighborhood remains evacuated, while in Tijarafe access to the strip between the Barranco del Jurado and the El Time viewpoint is still prohibited, although only above the LP-1 highway.
The weather has been especially favorable this Monday, with cool temperatures and humidity above 60 percent throughout the day, although the increase in heat forecast for the coming days is worrying, which will be especially intense on Wednesday.
The Cabildo de La Palma and the security forces have also decided to make circulation on the LP-1 highway more flexible, which will remain generally closed from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., but with a novelty: all residents of the area who If you need to get home during that night time slot, you can do so accompanied by the emergency teams that work in the area.
Efforts to extinguish the fire have focused this Monday on 80% of the southern sector, in Tijarafe, where controlled burning will be carried out at night to generate areas free of dry vegetation that slow down its advance, as reported by the Policy Minister Territorial Government of the Canary Islands, Manuel Miranda.
Media in the Caldera de Taburiente
This Tuesday, priority will be given to the deployment of ground troops and air resources on the flank that affects the National Park.
Miranda explained that the fire “advances slowly” inside the Caldera de Taburiente, where around 200 hectares have already burned, and it is “the most complex part due to its access”, so its progression will be followed at night to send air means at first light on Tuesday.
The counselor has specified that during the night a device made up of about 200 people will work, including forest firefighters and members of the security forces.
Although pending adjustment, the management of the operation maintains the latest estimate of the affected area, some 3,500 hectares, and the municipalities involved are already assessing the damage to homes, as well as water and electricity services and other infrastructure.
The head of Civil Protection of the Canary Islands, Montserrat Román, has reported that there are only 14 people staying in the shelters set up for the evicted who could not relocate with family or friends, of the 200 who initially spent the night in them, in addition to 20 animals. company and 35 head of cattle.
According to Román, “the fire is still active, but within the lines of evolution contemplated, and it is of a favorable nature for its extinction.”
However, he recalled that a change in atmospheric conditions is expected that will imply more heat which, on the other hand, will help to dissipate the smoke and air resources will be able to work better. EFE