Irish holidaymakers warned of fires

Irish holiday makers have been warned to be vigilant as wildfires rage across the  Canary Islands.

The Department of Foreign Affairs stopped short of advising Irish citizens against travelling to the region but warned them against visiting the affected areas and to heed advice of Spanish authorities.

Satellite image showing smoke drifing from fires on the Canary islands of Tenerife (left) and Gran Canaria

Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is making an emergency visit to Tenerife and Gran Canaria today to assess the damage being caused by the fires. The blazes have forced the evacuation of 14,000 people and burned 25,000 hectares of pine forest and other land. No one has been injured during the fires so far.

The Department of Foreign Affairs updated its travel advice the region today to take account of the fires.

"Travellers to Gran Canaria and Tenerife in the Canary Islands should be aware that there are widespread forest fires in the interior of both islands. Some are still burning out of control," the Department said in a statement.

The principal affected regions in Tenerife are the middle and north west of the island and a small area in the north east, specifically the municipalities of Los Realejos, Icod de los Vinos, San Juan de la Rambla, Los Silos, La Guancha, Garachico, El Tanque, Buenavista del Norte, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, Santiago del Teide, and Guía de Isora.

In Gran Canaria, the south west of the island, specifically the municipalities of El Hoyo, Mogan, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Tunte, have been hit. The main holiday resorts, cities of Santa Cruz Tenerife and Las Palmas Gran Canaria, together with airports on both islands, are unaffected.

Visitors and residents in Tenerife and Gran Canaria concerned with the location of the fires should call the Spanish Emergency Services on telephone 112, which has English speakers. Updated travel advice is available from the Department's website at www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=8545.

Spanish Environment Minister Cristina Narbona described the situation as one of "maximum alarm" and said the central government will send aircraft and crews to aid the regional administration in extinguishing the blaze.

Spanish television station CNN+ broadcast satellite photos showing huge plumes of white smoke rising from the islands, which lie off the coast of West Africa, and footage of citizens using tree branches to beat in vain at flames approaching rural roads. Smaller fires are also burning on the islands of La Gomera and La Palma.

Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive has reminded holiday makers to apply for or renew their European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) before travelling abroad.

"We would always advise anyone travelling overseas to make to sure to take the EHIC with them," a spokesman said.

"In the unfortunate event of you or a member of your family becoming ill while abroad, the card will ensure easy access to free healthcare and medical services. This can be of particular importance in a setting where language and procedure may be unfamiliar."