The 1984 forest fire in La Gomera, which resulted in 20 fatalities, remains the greatest tragedy by fire in the Canary Islands. A new search tool compiles the deadliest incidents in Spain.
On September 11, 1984, a forest fire in La Gomera claimed the lives of 20 people, trapped by the flames. Four decades later, this event continues to be the deadliest recorded in the Canary archipelago, according to data collected in a search tool that gathers forest fires with fatalities in Spain.
The tragedy that marked the island
The fire, which ravaged thousands of hectares on the island, caught a group of people off guard who could not escape. 20 fatalities turned that day into one of the darkest in the history of the Canary Islands. The magnitude of the disaster prompted improvements in prevention and extinguishing systems, although the memory remains alive among the locals.
According to historical records, only the fire in Lloret de Mar (Girona) in 1979, which resulted in 21 deaths, surpasses the number of victims in La Gomera. Both episodes top the list of the deadliest fires in Spain.
A search tool to remember
The tool, which allows users to consult fires by municipality or province, also includes other serious incidents that have occurred in the Canary Islands. Although the La Gomera fire is the only one with victims in the archipelago within the ranking, the region has suffered numerous large fires in recent years.
For the residents of La Gomera, this memory serves as a constant reminder. Climate conditions and the topography of the island make the risk of fires high, especially in summer. Local authorities emphasize the importance of prevention and citizen collaboration to avoid similar tragedies.
Lessons learned
The 1984 fire prompted changes in emergency protocols in the Canary Islands. Coordination between firefighting units and investment in aerial and ground resources were strengthened after that disaster. However, climate change and prolonged drought keep the alert high across the archipelago.
From the Cabildo of La Gomera, it is insisted that the memory of the victims should serve to maintain vigilance. "We cannot let our guard down", say island sources, who remind that special devices are activated every summer to prevent fires.
For the island's residents, September 11 is a significant date. Each year, tribute events are held for the victims, and schools include fire prevention in their educational programs. Awareness is key to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
The search tool, accessible to all of Spain, allows citizens to learn about the deadliest fires in their area. A tool that, according to its creators, aims to keep the memory alive and improve prevention.
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