A wildfire, that started in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the northeast of the popular holiday island of Tenerife, remained unabated on Thursday after burning 1,800 hectares of land, according to emergency services in the Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands' President Fernando Clavijo told reporters the fire had a perimeter of 22 km, after dry conditions and strong winds helped its rapid spread. The hilly terrain meant that firefighters had been unable to access several areas affected by the fire.

It is still unclear what started the wildfire.

Spanish TV network RTVE reported on Thursday that some flames had reached the outskirts of El Orotava, a town with around 17,500 inhabitants. Around 150 people have been evacuated, although the property damage was not yet known.

A total of 17 aircraft and helicopters are helping to combat the flames, along with around 270 firefighters.

According to the latest data from the European Forest Fire Information System, wildfires have burned 81,058 hectares in Spain in 2023. Most of the country remains on a level "extreme" alert for further wildfires due to continued hot and dry weather affecting the region.

STORY: Wildfire continues to spread in Spain's Tenerife island
DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:39
LOCATION: Madrid
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of Tenerife island wildfire
 
STORYLINE:
 
A wildfire, that started in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the northeast of the popular holiday island of Tenerife, remained unabated on Thursday after burning 1,800 hectares of land, according to emergency services in the Canary Islands.
 
The Canary Islands' President Fernando Clavijo told reporters the fire had a perimeter of 22 km, after dry conditions and strong winds helped its rapid spread. The hilly terrain had meant that firefighters had been unable to access several areas affected by the fire.
 
It is still unclear what started the wildfire.
 
Spanish TV network RTVE reported on Thursday that some flames had reached the outskirts of El Orotava, a town with around 17,500 inhabitants. Around 150 people have been evacuated, although the damage to property was not yet known.
 
A total of 17 aircraft and helicopters are helping to combat the flames, along with around 270 firefighters.
 
According to latest data from the European Forest Fire Information System, wildfires have burned 81,058 hectares in Spain in 2023. Most of the country remains on a level of "extreme" alert for further wildfires due to continued hot and dry weather affecting the region.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Madrid.
(XHTV)