Iran Press/ Africa: The Canary Islands emergency services said more than 26,000 people had been evacuated by Saturday afternoon, according to provisional estimates, a sharp rise from 4,500 on Friday. Some 11 towns have now been affected.
The Atlantic island is home to about one million people and is also a popular tourist destination.
The seven-island archipelago is located off the northwest coast of Africa and southwest of mainland Spain. At their nearest point, the islands are 100km from Morocco.
Fierce flames lit up the night sky overnight and on Saturday as helicopters were seen dropping water on areas close to homes where smoke billowed into the air.
Some 5,000 hectares have been burned so far with a perimeter of 50km.
The fire was at a scale never been seen before in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Council President Rosa Davila told reporters. She said the priority was to “protect people’s lives”.
The blaze has not destroyed any homes so far, she added, citing the fire brigade.
The island’s popular tourist areas have so far been unaffected and its two airports have been operating normally.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday in a mountainous national park around the Mount Teide volcano – Spain’s highest peak – amid hot and dry weather.
The fire is located in a steep and craggy mountain area with pine trees, with several municipalities on its flanks. Access for firefighters is extremely difficult.
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