The Aftermath of Forest Fires on Tenerife

The first time we noticed that a wildfire could create a landscape that, although tragic to see, possessed a strange enchantment, was in Masca after the horrendous forest fires on Tenerife in 2007.

The beautiful hamlet was devastated and left in a sad and sorry state. But in the midst of the scorched terraces were the most incredible looking palm trees. Their emerald fronds had somehow escaped the flames but their trunks were burnt ebony. It might sound odd, but they were unnervingly exquisite; as though they had belonged to another planet.

I’d forgotten that something as destructive as a forest fire could occasionally leave surprises in its wake until last week when we went to Erjos to check out the damage to a walking route for Inntravel.

Tragically, the area around the Erjos Pools took the brunt of the fire once again and is heartbreaking to view. Who knows if the pools will recover a second time? The landscape around Erjos itself is shocking. We saw how close the flames were to the village as it happened. But to see the scorched earth leading right up almost to the doorsteps of some houses rammed home how nightmarish an experience it must have been.

And yet amidst the scenes of nature’s wrath (aided and abetted by man’s stupidity, whatever the actual cause) were visions that stopped us in our tracks because of their anarchic yet surprisingly fascinating beauty.

Parts of the forest looked autumnal; there were trees with colours you simply don’t see on Tenerife. Their copper leaves might have been as a result of the fire, but it added another dimension to the views and the forest near Erjos still exudes a pleasant smoky aroma; not unlike a smoke-house.

Scorched trees look autumnal on Tenerife

There is also a contrast of colours, with blackened trees standing out sharply against a canvas of burnt sienna and forest green.

Burnt Tree, Erjos, Tenerife

In other parts, petrified trees with naked branches lend the terrain a quality that has somewhat of a grim fairy tale aspect about it.

Burnt Tree and Mount Teide, Tenerife

In the valley below the village, the flora has been left unnaturally fiery in appearance. This vista simply stunned me – being both sad and sensational at the same time.

Walking in a Fiery Landscape, Tenerife

The greatest contrasts came when the scorched leaves were backed by slopes of ashen grey which looked as though their colours had been totally desaturated.

Scorched leaves, Erjos, Tenerife

But the scene which held the biggest impact and surprised the most was this one.  Only a few weeks after being ravaged, these terraces were testament to nature’s resilience. Despite Tenerife suffering from a drought stretching back months, fresh growth more than a foot high stood defiant against the carnage.

Growth on Fire Damage Land at Erjos, Tenerife

In the heart of darkness there lies hope.

About Jack 434 Articles
Jack is co-editor, writer and photographer for BuzzTrips and the Real Tenerife series of travel websites as well as a contributor to online travel sites and travel magazines. Follow Jack on Facebook

4 Comments

  1. So sorry for the devastation, but new buds will grow , and it will take time , nature will restore . xxxx

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.