WILDFIRES are spreading across Europe, with thousands of people being evacuated.
The Spanish island of Tenerife is the latest to be affected with officials branding the blazes the “worst wildfires in 40 years.
GettyTenerife has been hit by the “worst wildfires” in 40 years[/caption]
ReutersHere’s what you need to know about visiting the island[/caption]
Here’s everything you need to know if you are planning on travelling to the island.
Is it safe to travel to Tenerife?
The majority of Tenerife is still safe to travel to Tenerife.
Airports are still open with airlines and tour operators continuing to travel to the island.
The UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Tenerife.
However, it does have advice regarding forest fires.
The website states: “Forest fires occur frequently in Spain (including in the Spanish islands) during the summer months, when temperatures regularly reach over 40ºC.
“Be aware of your environment when visiting or driving through woodland areas.”
Where are the wildfires in Tenerife?
The 19-mile blaze is located in the mountainous area of Arafo – and hundreds of people in the surrounding villages of Arafo, Candelaria and La Orotava have been forced to flee.
Officials said the areas affected are “mainly in the mountainous areas of Arafo, Candelaria, La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava and El Rosario”.
The island’s main town – Santa Cruz – is just 20km away from the flames.
The fires have ripped through more than 4,450 acres of land in just 24 hours – forcing 7,600 people to be evacuated from holiday homes and houses or forced to stay indoors.
Where are there wildfires across Europe?
Thousands of British tourists were rescued from the Greek island of Rhodes after a number of hotels were destroyed by wildfires.
There have also been fires in Corfu that caused nearly 2,500 locals and tourists to be evacuated overnight on July 23.
The Italian island of Sicily is another popular tourist destination affected by devastating wildfires.
On July 25, Sicily’s Palermo Airport was forced to close for several hours as fires burned dangerously close to the runways, before eventually opening again shortly before 11am.
And last week, campsites full of Brit holidaymakers in France were evacuated after wildfires.
AFPAuthorities are still battling the flames[/caption]