Canary Islands fires ravage forests, species
2 August 2007
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Crews have managed to control two huge forest fires that forced the evacuation of 14,000 people from homes, hotels and camp grounds at one of Europe’s top tourist areas, officials in Spain’s Canary Islands said Wednesday.
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However, environmentalists said the fires could be a disaster for species that are unique to the Canaries.
The archipelago’s isolation, 80 miles off the Moroccan coast, means it is a treasure trove for biologists. Gran Canaria contains 50 percent of the species unique to Spain.
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Around a third of Gran Canaria’s forests have now been reduced to ashes, said Roberto Castro, an engineer with a foundation working to reforest the islands. “The main problem isn’t the pine trees but the vegetation underneath … almost none will have been able to survive,†he said, adding that 10 to 15 species would probably disappear.
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The local government of Tenerife said the fires were brought under control in the morning due in large part to an easing of winds that had gusted at up to 40 mph — and prevented water-dumping helicopters from operating on Tuesday. Crews have also been hampered by extremely hot weather and low humidity.
The blaze forced the evacuation of 8,800 people and blackened 37,000 acres of land. At least 900 homes have been destroyed.
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On Gran Canaria, officials said most of the fire fronts there have also been brought under control. There, the fire razed 25,000 acres of land and caused 5,200 people to be evacuated. Most of those evacuated have already started to go back to their homes.
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Spanish newspapers have published satellite photos showing huge plumes of white smoke rising from the islands and footage of citizens using tree branches to slap in vain at flames approaching rural roads.
In this satellite image released by NASA on Tuesday, smoke from forest fires on the Canary islands of Tenerife, center left, and Gran Canaria, center right, is seen.
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