Operation Prometheus in Tenerife is an operational plan that will be deployed from July 1 to September 30 to enhance surveillance and prevention of wildfires.
The island government—the Cabildo de Tenerife—has approved for the second consecutive year the collaboration with the Ministry of Defense. The Operation Prometheus-Centurion Tenerife is an initiative that is crucial for preventing and monitoring wildfires on the island. The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, highlights the experience gained last year. The cooperation with the military has proven that this agreement is an effective tool to strengthen safety.
On March 25, the new agreement will be signed with Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
Strengthening prevention and response
Thanks to the active presence of the armed forces in the area, response capacity and prevention will be strengthened during the most critical period of the year. The surveillance tasks and deterrent effect of military patrols, which will operate 24 hours a day, as well as their cooperation with other emergency services, have improved the perception of safety among the population.
Operation Prometheus joins the more than 600 professionals who are part of the Brifor operation of the Cabildo—including personnel from the Tenerife Fire Department Consortium—to work in a coordinated manner in monitoring and protecting Tenerife, particularly the medianías, which cover 25% of the island.
With the extension of Operation Prometheus-Centurion, Tenerife becomes the second region in Spain, after Galicia, to not only implement such a protection mechanism but also to sustainably maintain it.
New developments in the operation
In addition to the Brifor wildfire combat unit, which is deployed annually, the military will once again be involved in surveillance tasks. This reinforces the strong commitment to forest protection and public safety through an active prevention strategy.
The plan includes the deployment of 14 vehicles, 7 commanders, and 25 troops, who will patrol daily and protect the forests, ensuring a constant presence in the most vulnerable areas of the natural reserves.As a key innovation, this year introduces the possibility of conducting helicopter surveillance flights when necessary. On the ground, a well-organized unit will ensure continuous monitoring and security in Tenerife’s forests.
Operation organization
Surveillance patrols
Every day, 10 patrols will be deployed, each consisting of two soldiers and a vehicle. They will monitor high-risk areas, report any suspicious activity, and thereby prevent or quickly contain wildfires.
Monitoring cell
This team is responsible for the coordination and supervision of the operation on the ground. It consists of three commanders and two troops, supported by a vehicle to oversee and control operations.
Command team
Comprising two commanders and one soldier, this team also has a vehicle to ensure the efficiency of the deployment plan.
Maintenance personnel
This team is tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of all equipment and logistics. Two specialized maintenance units will be deployed, each consisting of one commander, one soldier, and a vehicle.
Joint effort for wildfire prevention
With the II Operation Prometheus-Centurion Tenerife, the island continues to invest in the safety and protection of its natural environment. The combination of military cooperation, technology, and permanent surveillance makes this initiative an effective and essential measure in the fight against wildfires.
The extension and expansion of Operation Prometheus underline the success of its first edition and strengthen Tenerife’s long-term strategy for environmental conservation and disaster prevention. This initiative provides an effective and sustainable approach to combating wildfires, which is crucial given climate change and increasing drought periods.
DiariodeTenerife.info © Photography
Operation Prometheus in Tenerife ©
Source: Diario de Tenerife
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