The Canary Islands archipelago faces a period of high temperatures expected to last until August 4th or 5th, with days predicted to reach close to 40 degrees Celsius. The Autonomous Government has declared a heat and wildfire risk alert for all islands, though a more adverse situation is anticipated in the eastern islands, with Gran Canaria as a primary focus.
According to meteorological models, a mass of warm, dry air from Africa is expected to cause a significant temperature increase, especially in the midlands and high altitudes of the southern half of the island. Temperatures could exceed 38 degrees Celsius, accompanied by moderate winds with strong gusts and light haze at higher levels.
In response, the president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, has urged the public to exercise extreme caution. He called on residents and workers in rural areas to maintain a safety perimeter of at least 15 meters free of vegetation around homes and industrial and forest facilities.
Morales emphasized the importance of public awareness, recalling that fire often enters inhabited areas due to a lack of preventive measures. Despite having extraordinary resources for firefighting, climate change necessitates greater caution and self-protection.
The declared alert will be continuously monitored, with the possibility of raising its activation level or modifying its territorial scope if necessary.
