Canary Green » La Gomera http://www.canarygreen.net Helping to keep the Canary Islands Green Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:15:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Fire ravaged La Gomera recovers slowly http://www.canarygreen.net/la-gomera/fire-ravaged-la-gomera-recovers-slowly.htm http://www.canarygreen.net/la-gomera/fire-ravaged-la-gomera-recovers-slowly.htm#comments Sat, 03 May 2008 18:58:23 +0000 colinkirby http://www.canarygreen.net/?p=28 Nature is often quick to remind us that it has it’s own destructive force, that once unleashed, is difficult to stop. Last weekend the intense heat of the Calima (sand and dust blown in from Africa that traps in heat and humidity) left the islands tinder dry and on La Gomera, an act of stupidity, by a local man burning stubble on his land, ignited two large forest fires that destroyed 800 hectares of agricultural and low mountain land, and led to 400 people being evacuated from their homes on Saturday.

Hermigua Fire

It could have been even worse, a concerted effort from fire fighters from all the islands, backed with helicopter water drops from 6 air fire fighting units, brought the fires under control within 4 days. One fire was in Vallehermoso but the main one was in Hermigua, at the edge of Garajonay National Park.  

Tenerife suffered a smaller outbreak of over 1,600 square metres in the Barranco del Moro between Los Realejos and San Juan de las Ramblas in the north. Local authorities across all 7 islands are advising extreme caution during the hot summer months and restrictions are in place on traditional family barbecues in the hills.

A 53 year old man from Ibo Ifaro has been charged with accidentally starting the La Gomera fire. In the last couple of years Tenerife and El Hierro have suffered from extensive fire outbreaks.

]]> http://www.canarygreen.net/la-gomera/fire-ravaged-la-gomera-recovers-slowly.htm/feed 0 Blue skies, black sand, green hopes in the Canary Islands http://www.canarygreen.net/fuerteventura/blue-skies-black-sand-green-hopes-in-the-canary-islands.htm http://www.canarygreen.net/fuerteventura/blue-skies-black-sand-green-hopes-in-the-canary-islands.htm#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:59:24 +0000 colinkirby http://www.canarygreen.net/?p=8 The 7 Canary Islands sum up all our thoughts about holiday islands, relaxing, laid back and welcoming, but a delicate balancing act is going on. The very qualities that attract so many visitors, are also in danger of being over exploited and destroyed by too much development. But there are plenty of forward looking business’s and organisations on these islands and hopefully, as they tackle the big enviromental issues facing them, maybe the Canary Islands can even take a lead in green issues.

Of necessity, these islands have constantly had to develop new ways of working with nature, from water management and delivery to ensuring that fishing stocks are rationed to support the traditional industries of the islands. Lots of exciting work is going on with Biosphere Reserves, Wind Parks, Animal Preservation Projects and much more.

Nature can be very fragile, this is something that the Canary Islands have learned from past experience with volcanic eruptions, something that can happen at any time on any of the islands. Many old traditions and ways of life are under threat, but with encouragement and strong government policies there is still time to protect the past and learn for the future.

This site will bring you the latest trends and updates on what steps are being made to put the Canary Islands at the forefront of green planning. Your comments are welcome and if there is anything you need to know more about, we will try to shine a light on it.

]]> http://www.canarygreen.net/fuerteventura/blue-skies-black-sand-green-hopes-in-the-canary-islands.htm/feed 1