Fires in La Gomera and La Palma

[Janet]

The staggeringly beautiful Valle Gran Rey has been evacuated tonight. The Ayuntamiento has given the order for residents for head down to the port, to which four lifeguard boats are being despatched. I can't believe this is happening.

[Janet]

Some 3,000 people are now crowding into the Las Vueltas port area of Valle Gran Rey. Others are still making their way down, with traffic moving slowly. The Canarian Government has chartered a Fred Olsen ferry to remove those who want to leave.

[Janet]

A Navieras Armas ferry was chartered by the Canarian Government last night in addition to the Fred Olsen one; both were in operation and evacuated to San Sebastian 910 people who wanted to leave.  Around 30 houses are said to have been burnt. The Guardia Civil has flown in by helicopter 16 extra security officers to protect the evacuated properties. Some 35 people were also evacuated from the nearby village of Taguluche. The authorities say that weather conditions are still not helping firefighting efforts, but that at first light 3 water planes and 7 helicopters were again in action against the flames. A fourth water plane is expected today, but already 20% of the Garajonay has been burnt.

[Janet]

Some parts of the Vallehermoso municipality are now being evacuated to Hermigua.

[Janet]

 The evacuation order now extends to the main town of Vallehermoso itself as well.

[Janet]

Canarian President Paulino Rivero has said that the situation in La Gomera is very serious, and that there is little hope for progress in firefighting today given the weather and terrain conditions. The fourth water plane is joining the efforts around now, and a fifth plane will now arrive tomorrow. The President confirmed that 30 houses have burnt in Valle Gran Rey, and that the fire spread through the whole barranco within the space of just one hour. He said that apart from continuing with the intense firefighting, hopes are now focused on an anticipated drop in temperatures tonight and a change in wind strength and direction tomorrow which should help efforts.

[Janet]

sin palabras ...

[Janet]

As of this evening, the Canarian Government has authorized many of the evacuated to return to their homes. Those who may not return are the residents of the 39 houses damaged by fire in the Valle Gran Rey, also Vallehermoso town, Las Hayas, Banda de Rosas and Los loros.

As of 9pm, the fire is heading towards Vallehermoso with different focal points. Thankfully it is proceeding slowly tonight, compared with the almost wildfire quality it displayed last night. This is due to a change in wind direction, and the considerable reduction in temperature means that the authorities are hopeful that firefighting efforts will be aided greatly tonight.

[Nova]

I hope they do get it under control soon!  Has it been confirmed yet whether the fire was started deliberately?

[Janet]

No. There's still confusion about this chap they arrested. He seems clearly to have started previous fires, but the general view seems to be that on this occasion he was arrested for assaulting the police who went to question him about this fire. Significantly, to me, there's no confirmation that he didn't actually start this one ... so maybe they're trying to avoid a lynching, or maybe just leaving the analysis of how it started until the crisis itself is past.