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Mobile Phone: +34 686 553 868 ; Mail: info@taxilapalma.com La Palma taxi tours (Canary Islands)

Forest fires seem to happen about once every 4 to 5 years somewhere on La Palma. Usually they are high up the in the hills and cause damage only to the forests. The 2009 fire is the first one in recent history where houses have been destroyed.

Whilst this part of the forest will appear desolate for a few months the pine trees are not dead. Their pine needles are highly inflammable and the very hard core wood contains resin which can burn intensely, but the Canarian pine has a very thick layer of non-flammable bark which protects it from fire. In fact, just months after the blaze, the Canary Island pines had regained their characteristic green colour by sprouting needles.

 

Forest fire in Fuencaliente and Mazo

What happened?
Late in the evening of Friday 31st July 2009 a forest fire started in the south of La Palma. As a safety precaution the local authorities ordered the evacuation of 2000 people to safe locations. The damage is restricted to a relatively small area in the South of the island and largely in the forested areas. The severe damage to houses in Fuencaliente is restricted to 30 houses (according to the Mayor of Fuencaliente) with some other outbuildings with superficial damage. The damage to the trees and shrub land seems to be restricted to about 2500 hectares which is small compared to the size of the island.

On Tuesday 4th August the fires were out.

Is La Palma Princess & Teneguía Princess Hotel closed?
No. In fact, it was a safe location during the fire, so it was never in danger.

Is the "Volcano route" open?
Yes, it was re-opened on August 7th. Walkers doing the 'Volcano route' hike will undoubtedly see burnt trees and shrubbery on the last half an hour or so of their walk.

I have booked a holiday, is it safe to come?
Yes. The airport and ferry port are open and very little of the natural beauty of La Palma has been affected, at the moment it looks as if the total damage will be to less than 2% of the island.

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