Tenerife – fire

On the Canary Island of Tenerife, four towns have been evacuated after a forest fire broke out in the northwest of the island on Tuesday evening, according to Reuters. The forest fire started in a natural park around Mount Teide, and on Wednesday Spanish authorities ordered the evacuation of the four towns. These include Arrate, Chivisaya, Media Montaña and Ajafona. It is not clear how many people are affected by the evacuations. The fire moved through a wooded area with steep ravines, which has now made the fire department’s task more difficult, Reuters reports. “This fire could be huge, we have asked for further help,” Tenerife Mayor Rosa Davila said on local radio. “It primarily affects Corona Forestal, where there are a lot of pine trees and forest. It’s a steep area and planes are needed,” the mayor said. /ritzau/