The Directorate General of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands will activate the 2026 forest fire campaign on June 1st, under the framework of the Special Civil Protection and Emergency Response Plan for Forest Fires of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (INFOCA). This operation will involve a total of 2,600 personnel, an increase of approximately 100 from the previous year.

The first coordination meeting for the campaign, held this May, was attended by officials including the Minister of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, Manuel Miranda; the Vice-Minister of Emergencies and Water, Marcos Lorenzo; the Director General of Emergencies, Fernando Figuereo; and the Head of the Civil Protection and Emergencies Service, Montserrat Román. Representatives from the island councils, Civil Protection and Management areas, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the Forest Fire Intervention and Reinforcement Teams (EIRIF), the Government Delegation, and the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) also participated.

During the meeting, updates to the INFOCA protocols and the resources available for the islands were detailed. In addition to the over 2,600 personnel, the campaign will feature 202 forest fire engines and 19 aerial resources. A notable addition is the incorporation of a third EIRIF helicopter, which will share a base with the Canary Islands Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) in El Hierro.

Three lightweight forest fire engines (2,300-liter capacity) provided by the EIRIF, under the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, will also be deployed. Surveillance and prevention efforts will be enhanced with 23 drones: six from the GES and 17 from the EIRIF. These drones, equipped with thermal cameras, are crucial for locating hot spots at night and assisting ground personnel.

Furthermore, the importance of continuing to promote communication exercises and drills to ensure coordination among the various administrations involved was agreed upon, a preventive measure that was only activated preventively last year.