The fire that occurred on Saturday near the city of Tejeda is spreading on two fronts in a mountainous part of the island. About 700 firefighters fight the flames, and ten aircraft and helicopters participate in the operation.

"The fire is not encircled, not stabilized or under control," says Canary Islands regional president Ángel Víctor Torres during a press conference.

4000 have been evacuated

During Sunday, 4,000 residents were evacuated due to the forest fire.

So far, about 1,700 hectares of land have been burned and eleven roads have been closed. The extinguishing work is hampered by high temperatures, strong winds and dry air.