Canary Islands to get firefighting plane this summer

A water-bomber in action 2012

A fire-fighting plane for the Canary Islands will be permanently stationed at La Gomera's small Playa de Santiago airport for the duration of the dry summer season. The airport is very quiet with only a couple of commuter flight to Tenerife and back daily. All the islands with important forests are reached very quickly from there and the forested national park of La Gomera which suffered a devastating fire in 2012 is close by. There is also an ample supply of water at the island's airport allowing a rapid response to any fire. The amphibious water-bomber is to be on stand-by there from the first of July until the end of October.

Forest fire suspect to stand trial

IslandConnections.eu reports:

A forest warden accused of starting Gran Canaria's biggest ever forest fire is to go on trial seven years after the blaze.

Gran Canaria - 08.05.2014 - Juan Antonio Navarro is to be tried by jury at the Criminal Court on the recommendation of the local court of instruction in Arucas. Navarro is accused of deliberately cusing the blaze in the summer of 2007 which destroyed 20000 hectares of woodland and saw the authorities evacuate nearly 5000 people from their homes on the island. The court has banned him from leaving Spain until the trial and ordered him to deposit a massive bond of 70 million euros within 24 hours or have his assets seized. Given that he worked as a warden at the time, the island's Cabildo is jointly liable for any damages award made if he is convicted. News of the trial has been welcomed as it sends a clear message on the eve of the summer season which invariably sees forest blazes affect the Canaries, many of them caused deliberately. 

Major wildfire on Gran Canaria - updated

Photo: canarias7.es

A major wildfire with more than one front has been raging in the Cruz de Tejeda region on Gran Canaria since 11am this morning and the flames are still not under control as I write, forcing the evacuation of villagers in the area and road closures. At least three houses are said to have been burnt down. Let's just hope and pray that the showers expected for later today and tonight will materialise. The rising winds are not helping though.

Click for video:El viento propaga y dificulta la extinción del incendio de Gran Canaria - RTVC.es Noticias
Update at midnight:
The fires are still out of control, but weather conditions are 'favourable to have the blaze stabilised by Saturday or Sunday' according to officials. The canarias7.es photo below was taken just before dark. See their photo gallery. 
NB: Resorts and tourist facilities are NOT affected. The fires are in a remote rural area in the mountains and will hardly be noticed by most tourists.There is NO threat at all to touristic areas.

UPDATE Friday Oct. 25th 2013, 10am:
The situation appears to have improved a lot and according to some unconfirmed reports the fires have been brought under control.
+++At lunchtime it was officially confirmed that the situation has been 'stabilised'.

UPDATE Saturday, Oct.26th 2013: 
The fire has finally been extinguished.

Rally to mark first anniversary of outbreak of fires

La Gomera August 4th 2012 at 7:20pm - one of the fires 

Many questions remain unanswered
Sunday, 4th of August 2013, marks the first anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating fires that continued to burn for several weeks last summer (see this page for the full story). Several pressure groups and organisations are calling a mass meeting in the centre of capital San Sebastian de La Gomera in the park around the medieval tower (Parque de la Torre del Conde) this Sunday, 4th of August, at 11am under the motto '1 year without justice'. The rally was called to remind the authorities that the fires were never properly investigated with many questions remaining unanswered and that much of the promised aid never reached the victims. During the solemn gathering several speakers will address the protesters and in an 'open mike' session all are welcome to voice their concerns. A petition with 3500 signatures will be presented and a charred tree trunk will be deposited at the entrance of La Gomera's government buildings just across the road. 

La Gomera August 4th 2012 at 8pm - one of several fires started in the afternoon is approaching the national park

 Bad news travel fast: TV crew broadcasting live against a backdrop of
smoke and fire while being videoed. Saturday, Aug. 1st, 2012, 8pm

La Palma Fire Under Control

This morning a forest fire broke out on the neighbouring island of La Palma in a pine-forested steep ravine in the northwest of the island between Garafia and Puntagorda. Thanks to the rapid intervention by helicopters and all available fire brigades, the fire has been brought under control this afternoon, but work is continuing to extinguish remaining smouldering embers.
It is unusual to have forest fires in the Canaries at this time of the year, but due to the very dry condition lately this fire was dangerous. According to first reports the fire broke out during the controlled burning of twigs and other dry organic matter from which sparks are said to have escaped, starting the minor blaze.

National Parks Threatened By Cutbacks

We all know about the financial situation in Spain and the Canary Islands, and for 2013 even more severe cutbacks in public spending are expected. The budget for the four national parks in the Canary Islands (La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and La Gomera) is proposed to be cut by nearly 75% next year. These cuts have been described as brutal and scientists have warned that this will threaten the mere existence of the internationally acclaimed and unique areas of nature. It would also mean the loss of hundreds of jobs.
For La Gomeras 'Garajonay' national park this will come as a particularly severe blow after the damage caused to it during the devastating fire this summer. To restore the affected areas and to repair damage to its infrastructures the budget for the coming year should have been increased instead of being severely cut. The cutbacks will also mean less protection against fire during the dry summer period for 2013.
There has been a public outcry locally, nationally and internationally. You can help by signing a petition against the cutbacks - just click the following: http://www.change.org/petitions/parlamento-y-gobierno-de-la-comunidad-autónoma-de-canarias-no-al-brutal-recorte-presupuestario-de-los-parques-nacionales-de-canarias?utm_campaign=friend_inviter_modal&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=18059413  (The English version is found directly below the Spanish one)

Sign of the times ?
(Fire damaged sign and trees in the Garajonay national park, La Gomera)

Sign the petition and enjoy the park while it is still well-kept               .

Solidarity Calendar Published

A calendar for 2013 with 13 beautiful photos has been published by 'Plataforma Valle Gran Rey', the association of victims of the fire this summer. All proceeds will go directly to those affected and the price is 10 Euros, as for each calendar sold one fruit tree will be given to those who lost theirs during the fire. It is available in some shops and offices in Valle Gran Rey (e.g.: Cibermatika in Vueltas,  Tourist Office in La Calera, etc.) or can be ordered by mail directly from plataformaporvallegranrey@gmail.com

The 2013 La Gomera Solidarity Calendar

Gold for La Gomera firefighters

A prestigious national Spanish jury (APAS) has awarded this year's gold medal for firefighting to a brigade from La Gomera who heroically battled the forest fires for many weeks in the national park and finally succeeded in extinguishing a three miles long front that was  extremely difficult to reach on the ground and could not even be tackled from the air. This fire-front also spread to thickly forested cliffs in a ravine and was even burning underground through roots and other organic matter. Had this fire not been put out it would have posed a grave danger to valley and town of Vallehermoso.
The jury also commended the work by all the many other brigades and organisations involved in battling this year's fires. The 'Batefuegos' Gold award is an initiative that intends to reduce the number of forest fires that are caused each year in Spain.
For a video of another brigade in action on La Gomera this summer click: http://vimeo.com/47707399
See also new page 'Fire on La Gomera 2012' (tab beside 'Home')

The front mentioned above is seen in the top left of the picture (August 2012)  © acfi press

New page added: Fire on La Gomera 2012

Due to the continuing strong interest in the fires that affected La Gomera this summer and the many anxious questions from many parts of the world, I have added a separate page with the title: 'Fire on La Gomera 2012' to this blog. If you click that on the tabs bar above (below the title) you will find the page that contains a summary of the events, a list of previous posts relevant to the subject and additional images. The page will be further expanded and updated when needed.
The new page will hopefully help to promote La Gomera and correct some of the impressions that various exaggerated media reports left after the fire.
La Gomera was injured, but is recovering fast !

NEWS: La Gomera fires finally declared 'under control'

The remaining smouldering fires have been officially declared 'under control', but work continues to assure that no 'hot spots' remain.

The fires that started more than seven weeks ago damaged a total area of 3000 hectares or 8% of the island. The national park lost 18%, or 720 hectares and more than 100 houses were damaged or destroyed.

The expected rain (see previous post) should end this sad episode and will help nature to recover.

Fires still not completely extinguished

Tomorrow it will be six weeks since the initial fires started. Today they are still smouldering mostly underground in several places, and surfacing every now and again to cause renewed flames. Experts estimate that only the first rains after the summer can put  them out completely.

Meanwhile rebuilding and further cleaning up is in progress. Plans are being drawn up to prevent any future fires to spread as rapidly as they did in the densely populated Upper Valle Gran Rey. These would include the planting of more fire-resistant trees in the centre of the valley, projects to cultivate and irrigate abandoned agricultural land, and the removal of highly inflammable materials (i.e. dead vegetation, building materials, plastic, etc.).

The good news is that the temperature has been dropping considerably during this week and is now back to normal levels for September.

During a tour of the island yesterday the air even felt very fresh while testing a newly-opened walk along a cascading little stream in the beautiful 'El Rejo' area. The water in the stream is pure and tastes really good - and it was as cold as if it had been in a fridge.

The tour also showed the vast areas in all parts of the island that are completely untouched.

Unfortunately I forgot to bring a camera, so I leave you with a photo of 'Chorros de Epina' (our 'holy well') , which is the same as ever today, despite the drought:

For those interested in a accommodation/walking package I include the following link:
http://gomerawalking.co.uk

Demonstration in San Sebastian on Sat.,Sept.1st, 12 noon

There will be a huge demonstration in the capital of La Gomera, San Sebastian this Saturday, 01-09-12, at 12 o'clock, starting from Plaza de Las Americas.

This demonstration will also be supported by many voluntary organisations from neighbouring islands, and is intended as a show of strength of the people here, demanding a thorough investigation of the fires, and will be a show of support for those directly affected. It will not be party-political,  and ALL ARE WELCOME.

Important & interesting Link:

The official La Gomera tourism site (in English) with 'Questions and Answers' about the fire (surprsingly without the usual bullshit) here :

http://www.lagomera.travel/en/

Friends of La Gomera

There is a lot of goodwill towards La Gomera now. Messages of support are flooding in, as well as donations (much needed goods and money) and benefit concerts and soccer matches are being organised. The well known 'Nooctua' disco chain from Tenerife, that  did a great road show here

in the harbour of Valle Gran Rey last month with lots of DJs and live shows will do a special benefit show at the same location on the 8th of September. Last time over 2000 attended !

Come over and dance the night away for a good cause !

If you want to contribute money instead, I can guarantee that ALL the money going into the following account will reach the people who lost everything and weren't insured:

CCC: 2100-6756 – 67 – 0200020646

IBAN: ES06 2100 6756 6702 0002 0646

BIC/SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX

Caja Canarias / Caixa Bank

This account is administered by the newly founded voluntary group and is the ONLY

official account for donation (approved by local government).

See here:

http://plataformavallegranrey.com

...and the official town hall site here:

http://www.vallegranrey.es/turismo/es/informacion-util/noticias/97.html

+++ If you're looking for a great holiday, then go to La Gomera now or in the future. Better again: If you're an artist or a musician, come over here and do a benefit gig !

The latest (not complete) official count for Valle Gran Rey is:

43 houses totally destroyed (the remnants have to be demolished)

48 houses badly damaged, but can be repaired

69 commercial or agricultural buildings destroyed or damaged
Countless animals dead
Crops destroyed
NO loss of human life +++ NO serious injuries, only very minor ones.

Update: Nothing much has changed

I promise a more extensive report tomorrow or whenever after. The people 

here still are shell-shocked, but life and laughter continue. I'm helping as a

volunteer as much as I can, but I have little time at the 'ol' computer'.

...and we've entered another heat wave. Hurricane 'Gordon' won't bring 

any rain here, unfortunately. More heat and stronger winds instead.

More good news:

I'm just back from a tour to evaluate the state of affairs and let me

tell you that in many parts of La Gomera NOTHING has changed, in 90% of La Gomera nothing has changed - A MIRACLE !

BUT... there is a lot of work to be done.

We'll come out of this a stronger, a more coherent and intact community with 

a new-found solidarity.

Efforts to entrench the still smouldering fires on, and under-ground continue

and are 'progressing favourably'. 

More about all this ASAP. I'm exhausted, particularly after (yet another) conversation

with locals, some of whom defied evacuation orders and hid to defend their property

with simple means.

Update: Fires on La Gomera island

GOOD NEWS: All roads open again

Clean up operation progressing with many volunteers.

Donations are beginning to come in.

Touristic zones unaffected and business as usual.

Great sense of solidarity and a concerted effort to build a better La Gomera.
Unfortunately there still is a lot of bad and/or sensational, untrue press reports,
which is damaging our fragile and crisis-weakened economy. 

Journalists: STOP spreading unconfirmed or badly researched news, and

COME HERE TO SEE WITH YOUR OWN EYES !!!

If you want to get involved or if you want to donate, click below:

http://plataformavallegranrey.com/en/

La Gomera fire is now almost completely out

+++All hotels, bars, restaurants, shops, etc. are undamaged and open !

It will however take a lot more time until the last glowing embers and glowing roots underground have been fully extinguished.

Most people are back in their homes but 85 houses were burnt in Valle Gran Rey alone and a few more in mountain villages. 

There is a great sense of solidarity here and people are helping each other and are volunteering to clean up after the fire storm.

Slowly (and for some painfully) life is returning to normal and last night there was live music in bars and restaurants and people were relaxing again after what has been a tense

and stressful period of nearly two weeks.

There is NO  danger to tourists or visitors !

+++ new and interesting article (in English !) by 'gomeranoticias' here:
http://www.gomeranoticias.com/article/gomeranoticias-offers-good-news-and-images-areas-unaffected-fire

Many scenic spots and areas were left totally intact, some examples below:

The fires on La Gomera are close to being 'stable'

Meanwhile the hardest-hit municipal area of Valle Gran Rey is starting to evaluate the damage. First estimates now have shown that 85 houses were badly damaged by the fire and 46 of those are totally in ruins.

There was no loss of life and no serious injuries - this now looks like a miracle.

In the lower part of VGR  no damage was done and life is beginning to return to normal.

About 25% of the forest in the national park has burnt, but the most beautiful areas, where a lot of the best walking and hiking paths are located have remained totally intact. So please spread the word and come visit us sometime in the near future to show your support. We can guarantee you a very warm welcome and a peaceful gem of an island in the Atlantic.

A special 'thank you' to the fire brigades that managed to halt the rapidly advancing wall of fire in Valle Gran Rey Sunday night with the use of explosives.

Fires on La Gomera still active

While the weather has cooled down considerably, the fires in the forest will not be brought under control today. Morocco sent two planes yesterday to help the extinction efforts,

but last night a new forest fire broke out on neighbouring Tenerife and three of the

seven hydro-planes working here were sent over there by the authorities. 

The fires in the national park here have at least slowed down a bit and the prognosis is

'cautiously optimistic'.

The picture here in Valle Gran Rey is sad, but with a slow return to partial normality.

Supplies are coming in, but the vital 'supply' of tourists has almost stopped.

About 40 houses burnt down, most of them completely, but luckily there was no loss of life. Most livestock was lost however and the disposal of the dead animals is now a priority. Electricity, phone and water connections are being restored in the upper valley, where people have been allowed back to their homes.

More than 11% of La Gomera now affected by fire

...and a quarter of the population was evacuated.

Upper Valle Gran Rey was devastated by fire, Photos here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/117828141158420664108/IncendioEnValleGranReyAgosto2012#5776324417311593026