Holiday homes across Tenerife have been evacuated as "out of control" wildfires spread through the island.

Around 4,500 acres have been scorched by a blaze that erupted in a national park.

The region's leader Fernando Clavijo described the fires as "out of control" in a news conference on August 16.

A raging forest fire has swept through the pristine landscapes of Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The blaze, which originated on the iconic Mount Teide, has devoured hundreds of acres of forested land, its ferocity exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions. Disturbing footage captured by @fran40tf on August 16, 2023 from Santa Ursula shows the ominous sight of towering flames and billowing smoke, a grim testament to the fire's intensity. Despite the valiant efforts of firefighters, the inferno remains uncontained, prompting the evacuation of five villages in its path.

A massive wildfire has erupted in the mountainous national park of Tenerife, Spain's largest Canary Island, engulfing vast swathes of land and prompting a race against time for firefighters. The fire, which ignited near the iconic Mount Teide volcano, quickly expanded over 1,800 hectares (4,450 acres) within a mere 24 hours, as crews grappled with the challenging terrain and dry conditions. The inferno's perimeter has extended across 22 kilometers (14 miles) of dry woodland, flanking steep ravines on either side, obstructing access to the area. With 14 aircraft and around 250 firefighters and military personnel deployed, the fight to control the blaze remains an uphill battle. A video footage captured by @aliciacalimano in Los Rodeos, La Laguna on August 16, 2023, shows large smoke coming from the mountain. As authorities employ defensive tactics to shield residents' properties, the future remains uncertain, and concerns mount as the fire's relentless advance shows no sign of abating.