Last week during one of the years hottest weeks forest fires broke out threatening thousands of tourists and residents.

Over 4,000 people had to be evacuated as the fires raged across the island.

The fire started late on Friday 31st of July. High winds drove the flames across the island.

Five hundred fire fighters fought the flames throughout the night. They were joined by reinforcements at first light and neighbouring islands on Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife lent a hand.

The steep terrain made it very difficult to fight the fires which have now burnt over 2,000 hectares. Fire fighters had to abandon the fight in the south of the island as out of control flames threatened their lives.