As millions of holidaymakers prepare to head to the Canary Islands this summer, authorities have issued a wildfire pre-alert across the archipelago.

The warning, announced by the General Directorate of Emergencies on Sunday, applies to tourist hotspots El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

It comes as the islands enter a high-risk fire period following the wet season, as hot, dry winds known as the ‘calima’ begin blowing in from the Sahara Desert.

Fires are common, but they haven’t slowed tourism

The risk of wildfire is nothing new for the Canary Islands.

The volcanic terrain, Mediterranean climate and fire-adapted vegetation – plants that have evolved to thrive in fire-prone environments – make them susceptible to summer blazes, and scientists say wildfires are part of the archipelago’s ecological rhythm.

Some of the worst occurred in 2023, when forest fires ravaged Tenerife, destroying more than 15,000 hectares of land and forcing 12,000 people to evacuate. The blaze was later found to have been started by arsonists.

This year, officials are urging tourists and locals alike to take extreme caution, warning against launching fireworks near forests and discarding cigarettes on dry ground.

But even as the fire warnings roll in, the Canaries’ appeal shows no signs of slowing down.

In 2024, the islands welcomed nearly 18 million tourists, including a record-breaking 15.5 million international arrivals. Among them, British travellers led the way, recording 6.3 million visits – up 500,000 from 2023.

Concerns about overtourism mount amid record arrivals

While the Canary Islands continue to attract record numbers of tourists, residents are increasingly voicing concerns about overtourism.

In April 2024, tens of thousands of islanders participated in protests, holding signs that read “the Canary Islands have a limit” while rallying against rising housing costs, environmental damage and the strain on public services.

Over Easter this year, about 80,000 hospitality workers in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierrowalked out in a dispute with unions over pay.

The surge in short-term rentals has been especially contentious. Locals have reported getting priced out of their neighbourhoods as properties are converted into holiday  lets, the cost of living soars and wages stagnate.

Despite these concerns, tourism remains a significant part of the Canary Islands’ economy, accounting for approximately 35 per cent of its GDP.

Tenerife still reigns supreme

After welcoming seven million tourists in 2024, Tenerife remains the most visited island.

Its year-round sunshine and wide beaches keep it a firm favourite among families, especially during the UK’s summer school break and throughout the winter months.

As the peak summer season picks up, local tourism boards have made no indication that the fire pre-alerts will disrupt travel plans.

But authorities remain focused on prevention this year.

More than 2,000 firefighters are on standby. Meanwhile, the government has distributed detailed safety advice, urging people to prepare a go-bag, stay informed and follow emergency evacuation or shelter-in-place instructions if fires erupt.

By&nbspEuronews Travel&nbspwith&nbspAP

Published on 05/06/2025 – 11:16 GMT+2

Severe storms in southern Germany forced a Ryanair flight to make an emergency landing late Wednesday after violent turbulence injured nine people on board, German police said in a statement Thursday.

The flight, travelling from Berlin to Milan with 179 passengers and six crew members, encountered turbulence so intense around 8:30 pm that the pilot was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Memmingen Airport in Bavaria.

Eight passengers and one crew member were hurt.

Three people were taken to the hospital in Memmingen for treatment; the other injured people were released after receiving outpatient treatment. As a precaution, all passengers were checked for injuries by the emergency services.

Authorities did not permit the plane to continue flying, and the airline arranged bus transport for passengers. Milan is about 380 kilometres south of Memmingen.

More bad weather expected in Germany

Elsewhere in the region, storms damaged several homes in Ulm, Baden-Württmberg, according to the German news agency dpa.

In the Donaustetten district, strong winds tore roofs off multiple row houses, rendering them uninhabitable, though no injuries were reported. Fire officials suspect a small tornado or waterspout caused the damage. The German Weather Service (DWD) is investigating, according to dpa.

Storm-related emergency calls also came from other areas in southern Germany, where damage was mostly limited to fallen trees and flooded basements.

The DWD warned of further storms on Thursday, 5 June, with hail, strong winds, and localised heavy rain expected.

Published on 04/06/2025 – 15:54 GMT+2

Despite warnings to stay away, hikers on Mount Etna were forced to flee this week after Italy’s most active volcano erupted.

Footage from the mountain shared on social media showed tourists scurrying down the slopes as ash rose into the sky. Authorities had issued alerts on Monday morning after signs of increased volcanic activity, but dozens ignored them and climbed toward the summit anyway.

“There was a big explosion and a crater collapsed but luckily it fell into a deserted area,” said Salvo Cocina, head of Sicily’s Civil Protection Department. “It’s very hard to block access [to Mount Etna] – you can’t fence it off.”

No one was injured and the alert level was lowered to the standard ‘yellow’ on Tuesday.

Why is Mount Etna so popular with hikers?

Experiencing a close-up volcanic eruption is a bucket-list event, and Mount Etna offers one of the most accessible opportunities to do it.

At 3,350 metres tall and 35 kilometres wide, the Sicilian giant frequently rumbles to life, offering a front-row seat to nature’s raw power.

Even when it’s active, many trails and paths remain safe to climb.

“[The experience is] a mix of awe and adrenaline,” says mountain guide Saro Trovato, who safely – and legally – climbed Mount Etna when it erupted inFebruary.

“Even from a distance, you can feel the heat radiating from fresh lava flows.”

But above 2,500 metres, hikers are legally required to travel with a qualified mountain guide, who can keep visitors safe as well as informed.

On Tuesday, many hikers were as high as 2,700 metres above sea level.

How to stay safe when visiting Mount Etna

Conditions can change quickly on the mountain.

On Monday, a pyroclastic flow – a fast-moving surge of gas, rock and ash – travelled two kilometres down the mountainside. It didn’t go further than the Valle del Leone, a natural containment area for lava flows, but any changes could have led to catastrophe.

Tourism presents other problems during eruptions, too. In February, Cocina said that tourists parked on narrow roads around Mount Etna had blocked access for emergency vehicles. Firefighters had to be deployed to manage the growing crowds.

This is why the authorities mandate mountain guides such as Trovato, who receive real-time updates from volcanologists and rescue teams and are trained to respond if conditions suddenly change.

“Always check volcanic activity updates from local authorities and respect any access restrictions,” he advises. Especially when the volcano starts to stir.