The La Laguna City Council has activated a package of restrictive measures in response to the alert for high temperatures and wildfire risk declared by the Canary Islands Government. Fireworks, barbecues, and agricultural burning are prohibited.
The San Cristóbal de La Laguna City Council has implemented a series of restrictions since Thursday to prevent wildfires, coinciding with the high temperature alert declared by the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government. The measures include the prohibition of fireworks, barbecues, bonfires, and any activity that may generate sparks in vegetated areas.
The decision was made after a coordination meeting involving the councillors for Citizen Security, Municipal Services, Social Welfare, Festivities, and Education, along with representatives from the Local Police, Civil Protection, and other technical departments. The councillor for Citizen Security, Badel Albelo, explained that surveillance patrols have been reinforced in critical points such as Las Mercedes, Anaga, Mesa Mota, or El Ortigal, in collaboration with Tenerife Firefighters, the Canary Police, SEPRONA, and environmental agents from the Tenerife Cabildo.
Albelo emphasized that the goal is to minimize the risk of a wildfire, the main concern of the involved administrations. Therefore, the launch of fireworks, firecrackers, or pyrotechnic devices has been ordered to be suspended for the duration of the alert. The City Council will contact the festival committees of the towns and neighbourhoods in the municipality, especially those in higher-risk areas, to postpone planned events.
Additionally, the use of barbecues, bonfires, and any open fire in recreational areas is prohibited, as well as agricultural burning, both authorized and unauthorized. The use of machinery or tools that may generate sparks, such as brush cutters or chainsaws, is also not allowed in vegetated areas or near forested areas.
From the Social Welfare and Quality of Life Department, led by María Cruz, assistance to homeless individuals has been reinforced. In coordination with the Red Cross, basic services will be doubled, and hydration products will be distributed to this group, as well as ensuring accommodation if necessary.
The measures come into effect from the moment of their publication and will remain in place while the wildfire risk alert declared by the Canary Islands Government is active. The City Council may update them or revoke them when the competent authority modifies or ends the alert.
The La Laguna City Council has also called on the public to follow general recommendations in light of the high temperatures: avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, especially when exercising; stay hydrated; and use sun protection, paying special attention to children and the elderly. In case of any incidents, contact 1-1-2 or the La Laguna Local Police.
These restrictions add to those adopted by other municipalities on the island and in the Archipelago, in the context of a heatwave that raises the risk of wildfires to very high levels. Citizen collaboration and compliance with the rules are key to preventing disasters like those experienced in previous years in the Canary Islands.
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