Canary Islands Issue Wildfire Alert Amid Extreme Heatwave
- The Government of the Canary Islands has declared an official wildfire risk alert for Gran Canaria and Tenerife, effective at 08:00 hours on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, according...
- According to Diario de Avisos, the thermal episode began affecting the eastern islands on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, before intensifying and spreading across the entire archipelago.
- The Dirección General de Emergencias has activated the alert under the Special Civil Protection and Emergency Attention Plan for Forest Fires in the Canary Islands (INFOCA), relying on...
The Government of the Canary Islands has declared an official wildfire risk alert for Gran Canaria and Tenerife, effective at 08:00 hours on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, according to official reports from Diario de Avisos and Canarias Times. The emergency measure comes as a warm air mass of African origin moves across the islands, bringing high temperatures, dry atmospheric conditions, and moderate winds that significantly elevate the threat of forest fires.
Temperature Spikes and Heat Projections Across Gran Canaria and Tenerife
According to Diario de Avisos, the thermal episode began affecting the eastern islands on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, before intensifying and spreading across the entire archipelago. In Gran Canaria, maximum temperatures are forecasted to reach 34 degrees Celsius, with local peaks hitting 36 degrees Celsius primarily in the southern and western slopes, as well as the Tejeda basin and the Agaete Valley. Nighttime relief will be minimal. Meteorological models analyzed by emergency services indicate that minimum temperatures could hover locally between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius in Gran Canaria. In Tenerife, nighttime lows are expected to range from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius in certain areas. Canarias Times notes that maximum temperatures in Tenerife are projected to meet or exceed 34 degrees Celsius by Thursday, September 24, 2026, impacting mid-altitudes and forested zones.
Wildfire Risk Factors and Emergency Classifications
The Dirección General de Emergencias has activated the alert under the Special Civil Protection and Emergency Attention Plan for Forest Fires in the Canary Islands (INFOCA), relying on data provided by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). In Gran Canaria, the alert applies from the 400-meter elevation upward, while in Tenerife, the measure encompasses the entire island, as reported by Diario de Avisos. The heightened danger stems from a combination of severe heat, a dry atmosphere showing relative humidity levels below 30% above the inversion layer, and moderate eastern winds. The inversion cap is situated between 200 and 300 meters. Consequently, authorities have kept El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Palma under a pre-alert status for wildfire risks, while adding a pre-alert for maximum temperatures in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria, according to Canarias Times.
Public Safety and Civil Protection Guidelines
Emergency officials warn that the wildfire hazard will build progressively, with the most critical conditions expected between Thursday, September 24, 2026, and Friday, September 25, 2026. The regional executive maintains continuous monitoring of weather patterns and reserves the right to modify the geographic scope of the INFOCA alert based on updated forecasts from Aemet. In response to the severe conditions, the Directorate General of Emergencies has urged residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution and adhere to self-protection measures. Public guidance includes avoiding the disposal of cigarette butts or waste in wooded areas and strictly respecting limitations set by local councils regarding access to and work within forest lands. Property owners are advised to maintain a clean zone free of dry vegetation around buildings, and anyone spotting smoke or fire is instructed to dial 112 immediately with precise location details.
