Gran Canaria's wildfire alert has been lifted this morning (Monday) after firefighters dealt with three separate outbreaks across the island over the last few days.
The Canary Islands Government ended the specific wildfire alert after conditions improved, although Gran Canaria remains under a pre-alert for forest fires and residents and visitors are still being urged to exercise caution.
The latest outbreak was reported at La Pasadilla, near Cazadores in Telde, late on Saturday night, where approximately 4,300 square metres of land have been affected.
Firefighters and emergency teams were mobilised after the fire was detected at around 10.30pm, with the Island Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPIN) declaring it stabilised shortly after 11.00pm.
Crews remained at the scene afterwards to secure the perimeter, tackle hot spots and prevent the fire from reigniting.
No injuries or evacuations were reported in connection with the La Pasadilla fire.
Six homes evacuated in earlier fire
The Telde outbreak followed two fires reported on Thursday in other parts of Gran Canaria.
The more serious occurred at El Ingenio, in the upper part of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, where flames spread rapidly through an area of palm trees and affected approximately 6,700 square metres.
Six homes were evacuated as a precaution and several huts and other small structures were also affected.
Five helicopters were eventually involved in the operation alongside firefighters, forest brigades, the Guardia Civil, Local Police and Civil Protection personnel.
The fire was initially considered to have significant potential because of the difficult terrain, extremely dry vegetation, high temperatures and low humidity.
Crews concentrated on preventing the flames from reaching nearby ravines and palm groves, and the fire was subsequently brought under control.
Second outbreak contained in Gáldar
Another fire was reported the same day at El Saucillo in Gáldar.
In that case, early detection and the rapid intervention of emergency crews allowed firefighters to contain the outbreak before it could spread significantly from its point of origin.
The two fires contributed to the Canary Islands Government's decision to keep Gran Canaria under a heightened wildfire alert throughout Sunday, despite the end of the recent spell of exceptionally hot weather.
Officials said relative humidity had been slow to recover and specifically referred to two active but controlled fires when maintaining the alert.
The subsequent La Pasadilla outbreak became the third fire to require an emergency response on the island within four days.
Alert lifted but pre-alert remains
Conditions have now improved sufficiently for the Government to end the specific wildfire alert in Gran Canaria.
However, the island remains under the standing wildfire pre-alert and precautions continue to apply because vegetation can remain exceptionally dry even after temperatures fall.
The series of incidents demonstrates how quickly relatively small outbreaks can develop during periods of heat, low humidity and stressed vegetation.
