The fire declared between Telde and Valsequillo has been stabilised at 19:15. The seven foci located under a power line have opened an investigation into their possible origin.
The wildfire affecting the Gran Canaria municipalities of Telde and Valsequillo has been stabilised at 19:15 on Thursday, following the intervention of firefighting teams. The fire, which started at 17:08, presented up to seven distinct foci, all located under a high-voltage power line, leading investigators to focus on this infrastructure as a possible cause.
The island's Environment Councillor of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Raúl García, confirmed that the flames have slowed their advance, although he warned that the danger has not completely disappeared. “We are in a stabilisation phase, but the risk remains high,” he stated. Efforts are now concentrated on preventing the fire from descending into the ravines in the lower part of the affected area, where the slope could facilitate further spread.
The deployed operation includes two helicopters that will continue to make water drops until sunset, expected around 21:00. During the night, the Forest Fire Operational Unit will remain on the ground to cool hot spots and prevent the wind from reigniting the flames. The Cabildo has also mobilised ground resources working on the perimeter of the area.
Investigators are focusing on the emergence of seven foci under the power line running between Las Breñas and Cazadores, in the vicinity of the GC-130 road. This situation necessitates analysing a possible connection with the electrical infrastructure, although the presence of a road nearby keeps other hypotheses open, including that the fire could have been intentionally set. So far, no cause has been officially confirmed.
The Telde City Council reported that the seven fire points were initially treated as independent foci, but as the operation progressed, they were reduced to three dispersed foci that remained active before stabilisation. Efforts are particularly concentrated in the ravines located in the lower part of the fire, where the slope could facilitate further spread.
Once the fire is extinguished, the Forest Fire Investigation Brigade of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria will attempt to locate the point of origin and determine why up to seven foci appeared under the power line. The fire, which affected a summit area, has not forced the evacuation of homes or the closure of roads, although the Cabildo maintains an active alert level.
Residents of Telde and Valsequillo have followed the evolution of the flames with concern, as they advanced driven by the wind. The rapid intervention of aerial and ground resources has been key in preventing the fire from spreading to more populated areas. The Cabildo has thanked the public for their cooperation and has reminded everyone of the importance of maintaining caution in the mountains, especially during high-risk periods.
The ongoing investigation will determine whether the origin of the fire is related to the power line or if, on the contrary, it was intentionally set. Meanwhile, firefighting teams continue to work to cool hot spots and ensure that the fire does not reignite during the night. The Cabildo expects that in the coming hours the fire can be declared controlled, although monitoring will continue over the next few days.
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