Health authorities activate level 3 (red) in Telde and Cumbres de Gran Canaria, with extreme risk for vulnerable populations. The alert will extend over the weekend to more areas of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Palma.
The General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Health Service (SCS) has activated this Friday, July 31, the level 3 (red) alert due to high temperatures in the MeteoSalud areas of Telde and Cumbres de Gran Canaria, which include the municipalities of Tejeda and Vega de San Mateo. The episode of extreme heat, expected in the coming days, has led health authorities to intensify recommendations for the population, especially for the most vulnerable groups.
According to data provided by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the Ministry of Health, the red level implies an extreme risk for vulnerable individuals with additional risk factors, and an elevated risk for the general population with prolonged sun exposure. If the episode lasts more than three days, the risk is considered extreme for the entire population.
In addition to the red alert, level 2 (orange) alerts have been activated in areas of Gran Canaria, La Palma, and Tenerife, and level 1 (yellow) in areas of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, La Palma, Lanzarote, and Tenerife. The forecast is that the alerts will remain in place for at least the next two days, and that the red level will extend over the weekend to the East, South, and West areas of Gran Canaria, to the North area of Tenerife, and to the three MeteoSalud areas of La Palma.
The Canary Islands' heat surveillance and prevention plan, activated by Public Health, is aimed at the entire population, but pays special attention to fragile and vulnerable individuals, such as infants and children under four, pregnant women, those over 65, and people with respiratory, cardiovascular, or kidney diseases. For them, extreme heat can pose a serious health risk.
In light of this situation, health authorities recommend cancelling outdoor activities in red alert areas and staying in cool places, even during the night. It is also advised to hydrate frequently, avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, and pay special attention to symptoms of heat stroke, such as dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
The activation of these alerts has led Public Health to inform health and social care services, as well as other key departments and institutions, in accordance with the plan. This means that health centres and hospitals in the affected areas are prepared to handle a possible increase in heat-related consultations.
In Gran Canaria, the orange alert affects Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, while the yellow alert extends to the municipalities of Agüimes, Artenara, Ingenio, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Valsequillo, Agaete, Arucas, Firgas, Gáldar, Moya, Santa Brígida, Santa María de Guía, Teror, and Valleseco. In Tenerife, the orange alert affects the North area, which includes municipalities such as Buenavista del Norte, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, Santa Úrsula, Tacoronte, and others, as well as Santa Cruz de Tenerife and El Rosario.
In La Palma, the orange alert affects the Cumbres areas, including municipalities such as Barlovento, El Paso, Garafía, and Puntagorda, and the East area, which includes Breña Alta, Breña Baja, Puntallana, San Andrés y Sauces, Santa Cruz de La Palma, and Villa de Mazo. The yellow alert is limited to the West area, including Fuencaliente, Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte, and Tijarafe.
In Fuerteventura, the yellow alert affects all municipalities: Antigua, Betancuria, La Oliva, Pájara, Puerto del Rosario, and Tuineje. In Lanzarote, it also extends to Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Tías, Tinajo, and Yaiza. In La Gomera, the municipalities of Agulo, Alajeró, Hermigua, San Sebastián de La Gomera, Valle Gran Rey, and Vallehermoso are under a yellow alert. In El Hierro, all three municipalities (El Pinar, Valverde, and La Frontera) are also at level 1.
In addition to the heat, the entry of high-altitude dust is expected in the coming days, especially in the elevated areas of the more mountainous islands and in the eastern regions. Although significant impacts on air quality in densely populated coastal areas are not expected, the dust may worsen heat symptoms in the population and contributes to a decrease in humidity, altering the perception of the actual temperature.
The most up-to-date information on the alerts is available on the Government of the Canary Islands' website, where levels will be updated as the episode evolves. Authorities remind that, in case of any heat-related symptoms, one should visit a health centre or call 112.
This episode of extreme temperatures occurs in the middle of summer, when heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent in the Canary Islands. The population must take extra precautions and follow the recommendations of health authorities to avoid unnecessary risks.
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