Fires in La Gomera and La Palma

[Janet]

The President of the Canaries has personally thanked Morocco for the supply of two water planes to help fight the La Gomera fire. The loan, offered last evening, sees the planes operating even as early as this morning, and comes amidst a war of words over the timing and method for requesting and supply of water planes from the Spanish mainland. Meanwhile, Morocco has stepped in where others are immersed in procedures. Morocco's loan should bring to seven the number of water planes fighting the fire from today. JA

[Nova]

Wow!  Thank you Morocco!!! 

[Janet]

Above is a NASA satellite photo taken an hour ago. As can be seen, a good third of La Gomera is now affected, and the fire is still spreading.

[Janet]

The latest press conference has confirmed that there is little change in La Gomera, with the active front continuing slowly towards Vallehermoso. Tomorrow there will be 7 water planes and 6 helicopters fighting the fire, the same as today. Those who remain evacuated are the residents of the 39 houses affected in Valle Gran Rey and residents of Las Hayas,Banda de Rosas,Los Loros and Vallehermoso town. Several firemen have been affected by smoke inhalation. By god we owe these heroes big time.

[Janet]

Today brings little change, sadly. Firefighters have been in action throughout the night to brake the fire's slow but inexorable approach to Vallehermoso, and hopes today rely on the weather. In this respect at least there is something positive: 30% humidity, temperatures of 26-28º, and a gentle NNE wind. Thank goodness the weather is helping because La Gomera has to do with only 4 of its 7 waterplanes today after 3 had to be diverted to a new fire in Tenerife in the Los Realejos area. The bottom line for poor La Gomera is that the fire continues out of control and 1,360 residents are still evacuated from their homes.

[Janet]

The following video shows how the waterplanes in La Gomera are not just working throughout daylight hours, but like a conveyor belt. It's only a short film, but shows one water plane immediately following another to load up water to drop on the fire.

[Janet]

It's too soon to be jubilant, but things finally look like they're going the firefighters' way in La Gomera. Thanks to the water planes and the weather, and the sheer hard labour of the ground-based firefighters, a brake has been put on the fire's spread, and the majority of people have been able to return to their homes, including those in Vallehermoso town itself. Only 150 people now remain evacuated.

[Janet]

The Canarian Government has confirmed that arrests (plural) have been made in connection with the start of the fire. The Government also confirms that the penalty for starting fires that endanger life and property is up to 20 years imprisonment.

[Janet]

The night's firefighting went as well as hoped, and the fire has now not just been braked, but reduced. Water planes have been in action since first light. One curious thing is that the press is reporting this morning that the Guardia Civil have denied any arrests in connection with the fire: this could either be a somewhat standard denial of fact while interviews are being conducted, or a Government error or misunderstanding. No doubt this will become clearer throughout the day, but for now they're beginning to beat the fire. JA

[Janet]

Firefighting is going "favourably" and a firebreak is almost finished around the perimeter which has removed further combustible material. The Canarian Government's Consejero de Economía, Hacienda y Seguridad, Javier González Ortiz, said that there are still 150 people evacuated from Banda de Rosas, Los Loros, Los Chapines, and the burnt houses in Valle Gran Rey, but the majority of residents have been able to return home, and those of reduced mobility from Vallehermoso and Valle Gran Rey who were unable to do so yesterday are today being transported by an ambulance convoy organized by the Servicio de Urgencias Canario (SUC) together with the Red Cross.

There are still hot spots and secondary focal points inside the perimeter, and these are being fought by seven helicopters and six water planes, two of them Moroccan, as well as ground forces. Sr González Ortiz reiterated recent calls by the President of the Canaries for some of the water planes to remain in the Canaries until the end of summer.  He also repeated the President's remarks yesterday with regard to new outbreaks in Tenerife and La Gomera yesterday in asking for the public to help security forces with information about anyone suspected of starting fires. JA