The teams of intervention and reinforcement for forest fires of the Government of the Canaries carried out trials at the roque de los Muchachos Observatory with participation by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
On July 11th the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory was host to a very important trial relevant to the safety of the mountain tops of the Island of La Palma with participation by the Teams of Intervention and Reinforcement against Forest Fires (EIRIF) of the Canary Government, and the collaboration of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).
The exercise centred on two objectives which are basic to the improvement of the response to forest fires in the upper zones of La Palma. In the first place there was work preparing for a filling área for helicopters, situated close to the residence of the ORM, between this and the LP4 road. This strategic point will not only offer a secure landing place, but will also allow helicopters to take off with a portable container with a capacity of 56,000 litres of water.
This container will be fillable from the IAC’s own water tanks, and also from a firefighting water tank of the La Palma Island Water Council, Council thus providing an “endless” water supply for defence against fires which may threaten the Summit area of La Palma and the ORM Installations in the area.
The second aim was to reactivate the northern fire barrier, carrying out internal trials to leave it operational during this summer from the old heliports to the zones of the National Park of the Caldera of Taburiente, situated above the Visitor Centre for the Roque de los Muchachos.
Successful results of the trial
The training day worked out as planned, and important advances were achieved. 600 metres of fire barrier were prepared, 15 metres wide, to the east of the Residence, connecting the old heliport to the LP4 road as it passes below the ORM Residence.
During the trial there were also simulations of discharging water using airborne delivery, testing the protocols for coordination between the different emergency teams.
The technicians confirmed the intersection of the roads LP-4 and LP-403 with access to the Observatory, and the water tank to counter fires as a viable supply point in case of emergency.
A strategic point of maximum importance
Those in charge of the trial noted especially the importance of this proposed point for taking water, at a level below the Residence. This situation offers many operational advantages, because it is in a zone of maximum safety, it does not interrupt the traffic on the main road, it releases little dust during operations, and allows the optimal installation of the portable water container.
This initiative makes a significant improvement in the capacity of an adequate response to forest emergencies in one of the most strategic zones of the Canaries where scientific installations of international relevance requiring maximum protection are concentrated.
The collaboration between the Canary Government and the IAC shows their joint commitment to conserve both the natural and the scientific heritage of La Palma, which is critical after the episodes of forest fires which have affected the island in previous years.
