Summer fires in the Canary Islands

[swallow]

Thanks Goosey for your comment on the photo in the members gallery. I have quite alot of trouble making my pics the right size, first they are too big and then too small, so I give up!! I have to get the hang of it.

The fires in Gran Canaria and Tenerife followed a summer of exceptional heat and drought, unfortunately in both cases they were deliberately set by people with grudges.

In Gran Canaria there is still worry that about 12 species will be unable to regenerate. Many species of plants are endemic to the Canaries alone.
In Tenerife, the fires destroyed parts of the north and north west of the island, much of which has protected flora. Many villages were evacuated because of the risk and fumes from the smoke. Some villages only saved by a change of wind. The village of Masca, an amazing place, lost 4 houses. The Bishop's palace, a historic building was also lost. The Canarian pines are sprouting from their blackened trunks all over! But an entire youth and schools centre was burnt down on the Chinyero recreation site at Arenas Negras, a sad sight to see.

[paul m]

All very sad - rather like the fires in Greece - set mainly by landowners who want to develope the land? Sad cases. Surprised that we hadn't read about these though - perhaps the Canaries too small to report after fires in USA, Australia and Greece?

PS: yes, you'll get used to manipulating the pics eventually. I use a little, free programme IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide - simply crop the image to remove unwanted background (not necessary if you have a beautifully composed picture filling the whole) and then resize to 800 or 1000 width, checking that the height doesn't go below 600.

Originally Posted by swallow

Thanks Goosey for your comment on the photo in the members gallery. I have quite alot of trouble making my pics the right size, first they are too big and then too small, so I give up!! I have to get the hang of it.

The fires in Gran Canaria and Tenerife followed a summer of exceptional heat and drought, unfortunately in both cases they were deliberately set by people with grudges.

In Gran Canaria there is still worry that about 12 species will be unable to regenerate. Many species of plants are endemic to the Canaries alone.
In Tenerife, the fires destroyed parts of the north and north west of the island, much of which has protected flora. Many villages were evacuated because of the risk and fumes from the smoke. Some villages only saved by a change of wind. The village of Masca, an amazing place, lost 4 houses. The Bishop's palace, a historic building was also lost. The Canarian pines are sprouting from their blackened trunks all over! But an entire youth and schools centre was burnt down on the Chinyero recreation site at Arenas Negras, a sad sight to see.

[swallow]

Thanks Paul for the re-sizer for photos. I used to have photoshop and it was easy in that. I spend ages trying to get photos the right size!

Here's a link to the TimesonLine which describes the fires:Tenerife fires burn out - Times Online

By December when I was there, the green was coming back, although I don't know what the long term effects will be.
It is sad too about Greece and other wildfires this year.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by swallow

Thanks Goosey

You are welcome - its a great set of images .

Originally Posted by swallow

The fires in Gran Canaria and Tenerife followed a summer of exceptional heat and drought, unfortunately in both cases they were deliberately set by people with grudges.

It is so terrible to think that often when we hear of massive fires rampaging like that, that they are deliberately set, or they inspire people to set even more! It is absolutely terrifying .