Canary Islands activate pre-alert for partial solar eclipse on August 12

The Canary Islands Government activates the Emergency Plan to ensure safety during population concentration and prevent forest fires.

Stylized representation of a partial solar eclipse over the volcanic landscape of the Canary Islands, with silhouettes of crowds in safe viewing areas.
IA

Stylized representation of a partial solar eclipse over the volcanic landscape of the Canary Islands, with silhouettes of crowds in safe viewing areas.

The Government of the Canary Islands has declared a pre-alert status for the Territorial Emergency Plan for Civil Protection (PLATECA) ahead of the upcoming partial solar eclipse, scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, starting at 13:00 hours.

The Directorate General of Emergencies has activated the PLATECA due to the anticipated extraordinary increase in mobility and potential population concentrations in specific western-facing points across the islands. The astronomical event will occur between 18:57 and 20:45 hours.
The objective of this measure is to ensure the safety of individuals traveling to observe the eclipse and to minimize the risk of forest fires, particularly in forest and interface zones, given potential population gatherings and adverse weather conditions.
Furthermore, the initiative aims to enhance information exchange, continuous event monitoring, and coordination among the Government of the Canary Islands, the island councils, the municipalities, the General Administration of the State, and the services responsible for security, emergencies, health, roads, transport, and environment. The goal is to prevent any impact on health, rescue, transport, and telecommunication services.
It is recommended to observe the eclipse from nearby, accessible, and safe locations, avoiding unnecessary travel to peaks and forest areas. Public transport should be used whenever possible, vehicles should not be parked outside designated zones or obstructing emergency access routes, staggered returns are advised, and authorities' instructions must be followed at all times.
For observing the phenomenon, it is essential to use exclusively approved eye protection and follow associated instructions, strictly avoiding direct solar viewing or the use of cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without adequate solar filters.
Based on information from the official source: Gobierno de Canarias — Portal de Noticias (10/08/2026)