Tenerife Wildfire Map — Live Fire Locations & Tourist Safety Updates

To monitor active thermal anomalies in real time, the interactive map on this page integrates live data from the NASA FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) network, utilizing sensors aboard the VIIRS and MODIS satellites. This system detects surface heat signatures across Tenerife and updates thermal hotspot locations automatically every 30 minutes.

The satellite layer measures Fire Radiative Power (MW), allowing users to distinguish between minor agricultural burns and major wildland-urban interface fires. Checking satellite tracking layers before heading into high-altitude pine forests or driving along rural mountain passes ensures you avoid active emergency zones.

If you are planning broader travel across Spain or the Mediterranean, you can also track real-time fire conditions in other popular holiday destinations by checking the Spain live wildfire map and emergency tracker, reading our detailed guide on wildfires in Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana, or consulting the live Spain fire locations guide.

Wildfires on Tenerife predominantly consume dense stands of Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis), dry mountain scrubland (broom and retama), and coastal heather brush across steep ravines (barrancos). The resinous nature of pine needles combined with steep valley inclines acts as a chimney, allowing flames to race uphill at extreme speeds.

Major historic fire events have repeatedly reshaped local emergency protocols on the island:

• August 2023 Mega-Fire: The most devastating wildfire in Tenerife's recorded history burned over 14,000 hectares across a 90-kilometer perimeter, forcing the evacuation of more than 12,000 residents across 12 municipalities including La Orotava, Candelaria, and Arafo.
• 2012 and 2007 Blazes: Massive fires swept through the southern and western ridges, consuming thousands of hectares around Vilaflor, Guía de Isora, and Los Realejos.
• 2026 Season Incidents: Periods of intense heat combined with the Calima (hot, dust-laden winds blowing off the Sahara Desert) have triggered localized wildfire outbreaks in the upper Corona Forestal perimeter.

Understanding Tenerife's geographical regions helps travelers assess whether a wildfire affects their specific holiday resort or excursion route:

• Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide): Located in the high-altitude center of the island around Mount Teide. High winds can carry smoke into the caldera, causing temporary closures of the Teide Cable Car (Teleférico) and main access roads (TF-21, TF-24, TF-38).
• Corona Forestal Natural Park: A massive pine forest ring surrounding Teide National Park. This zone represents the highest wildfire hazard area on Tenerife.
• Northern Municipalities (La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, Tacoronte, Santa Úrsula): Characterized by steep, lush valleys. While Puerto de la Cruz sits safely on the coast, mountain fires in La Orotava Valley can send dense smoke plumes toward northern coastal towns.
• Southern Resort Belt (Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Arona, San Miguel de Abona): The main tourist hubs in the south are arid and located well away from heavy pine forests. Direct fire threats to southern coastal hotels are extremely rare, though smoke can occasionally affect air quality depending on wind direction.
• Western and Eastern Ridges (Vilaflor, Guía de Isora, Santiago del Teide, Candelaria, Arafo): Mountainous communities where residential houses blend into pine woods, making them sensitive to precautionary evacuation orders during major blazes.

When forest fires approach mountain highways, the Cabildo de Tenerife and the Guardia Civil close access routes immediately to prevent drivers from becoming trapped by shifting flames or heavy smoke. The most frequently restricted routes include:

• TF-21: The main mountain highway connecting La Orotava to Teide National Park and Vilaflor.
• TF-24: The ridge route running from La Esperanza to Teide, heavily exposed to forest fires in the Corona Forestal.
• TF-38: The western access road to Teide via Chío and Guía de Isora.

Tenerife's two commercial airports — Tenerife South (TFS / Reina Sofía) and Tenerife North (TFN / Los Rodeos) — generally remain operational during forest fires. However, heavy smoke blowing across the northern ridge can occasionally cause temporary flight delays or diversions at Tenerife North Airport.

Wildfire risk escalates significantly during weather events known locally as Calima, where airborne Saharan dust combined with temperatures above 40°C and relative humidity below 10% creates extreme fire danger. During severe warnings, the island government bans all outdoor barbecues, fireworks, agricultural burning, and recreational entry into forest zones.

If you observe smoke or find yourself near an active fire zone, save these primary emergency contact numbers:

• 112 — Universal Emergency Service (Multilingual dispatch for police, medical, and fire response)
• 080 / 085 — Local Fire Consortium (Consorcio de Bomberos de Tenerife)
• 062 — Civil Guard (Guardia Civil — Traffic management, mountain rescue, and evacuations)
• 092 — Local Police (Policía Local)

While wildfires are a seasonal reality in Tenerife's high-altitude pine forests, coastal resort zones like Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, and Puerto de la Cruz remain well protected by local emergency services. Checking live satellite maps, staying informed about Teide National Park road closures, and obeying Cabildo warning levels ensures a safe and enjoyable stay on the island.