The emergency teams working against the fire in Tenerife have prevented damage to the facilities of the Teide Observatory of the Instituto Astrofísica de Canarias, one of the most important for international astronomical observation.
As reported by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) on Monday, “we have managed to prevent the terrible fire in Tenerife from causing damage to the infrastructure of the Teide Observatory (OT)” after the flames reached the National Park yesterday and quickly surround the vicinity of the Themis and Stella telescopes.
As explained by the Institute, the fire entered the Teide Observatory through the valley that borders the Meteorological Observatory when the Izaña front opened up. “The fire checkpoints, which had been deployed in the area in anticipation of what could happen, reacted immediately and, although the fire progressed rapidly towards the Themis and Stella telescopes, damage to the facilities was avoided thanks to the intervention of the ground and air teams”, details the IAC.
So, around 9:00 p.m., fire engulfed the observatory again on the eastern and southern frontscrossing the road that connects with the Meteorological Observatory and moving towards the main entrance.
“The performance throughout the night of the fire services, firefighters and brigades, which were reinforced by the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and other resources, managed to prevent the fire from damaging the telescopes“adds the scientific institution, which has thanked the staff for “their total dedication, generosity and extreme professionalism”.