Calima, 37°C, fire risk: the Canaries face the first major heatwave of 2026 — and it lasts a week

What it means concretely — island by island

Fuerteventura and Lanzarote get hit hardest this time. 37°C and more in the interior and south of both islands. Anyone holidaying in Costa Calma, Morro Jable, Jandía, Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen will feel the full force. The coasts are a touch cooler, but the breeze is dry, with Saharan dust in the air (calima). Breathing is uncomfortable, visibility reduced.

Gran Canaria. South (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín) and west (Mogán, Puerto Rico, Tauro) are the hotspots, above 34°C. The summits — Tejeda, Roque Nublo, Pico de las Nieves — get the same. The north (Las Palmas, Telde, Gáldar) stays a bit milder thanks to the trade winds, but joins the list from Monday.

Tenerife. Santa Cruz / La Laguna stays moderate, but Cañadas del Teide, the south (Adeje, Arona, Los Cristianos) and west (Garachico, Los Gigantes) push well past 30°C. Fire risk is particularly high in the north — the Anaga and Teno woods dry out fast.

La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro. Western islands above 30°C in the mid-altitude zones (300–800 m). The summits and pinares are the critical areas — La Palma knows the drill since summer 2023, when 6,500 hectares burned.

What makes the heat really dangerous

Three things stacking up at once:

First: low humidity. Under 30 percent — desert territory. You lose water without sweating. You don't notice until your circulation gives way. Tourists who haven't experienced this collapse on day one.

Second: hot south-westerly winds. The trade winds from the north normally do the cooling. This week the wind comes from the Sahara — it doesn't cool, it heats. Hiking a mountain path means walking into a hairdryer.

Third: high night temperatures. Minimums 26–28°C. Meaning: even at night the body barely cools down. Tropical nights, several in a row. That's where older people and small children land in the statistics.

Aemet's warning level starts at yellow. According to the authorities, it will likely be raised this week — updates come daily.

Fire risk: where it starts first

First pre-alert (prealerta por riesgo de incendios forestales) is in force since 8 am today for Gran Canaria and Tenerife. It's the lowest of four levels — no immediate danger, but every agency on standby, vegetation drying.

Critical zones:

Gran Canaria: Roque Nublo, Tamadaba, Inagua, the pine forests around Mogán and Tejeda. Tenerife: Anaga (north-east), Teno (north-west), Las Cañadas (centre). La Palma: Caldera de Taburiente, Cumbre Vieja (still not fully recovered from the 2021 eruption). La Gomera: Garajonay (laurel forest, irreplaceable if it burns).

Forbidden from today, whether anyone tells you or not:

Outdoor barbecues — including in your own garden in wooded areas. Cigarette butts in nature (fine up to €2,000). Glass bottles left lying around (lens effect). Firecrackers, fireworks, sparklers — even privately. Burning garden cuttings (allowed in May normally — not this week).

What to do as a tourist today and this week

Out in the morning, out in the evening. Between 12 and 17 it's hell. Pool yes, beach yes — but under a parasol and with water. Hiking, cycling, climbing: before 10 or after 18. Otherwise no.

Drink before you're thirsty. At least three litres of water a day, more if you're moving. Beer and tinto de verano are refreshing but dehydrating — alcohol comes with an official warning from the regional government in this heat.

Sunscreen every two hours. UV index rises paradoxically with calima — Saharan dust scatters the light but doesn't shield. Burns happen faster than usual this week.

Hiking? Only with a plan. Gran Canaria's mountain trails (Roque Nublo, Cruz de Tejeda, Inagua) are no place for beginners this week. If you must go up, go early, take three litres of water per person, tell someone. No sandals, no cotton shirts. Hat mandatory.

The car in the sun is a trap. Inside it shoots past 60°C fast. No child left in a car — not even «just for a minute». A dog in a car: fatal in under 15 minutes.

Check the air-con. If your holiday flat has none, or the A/C doesn't push: rebook a hotel or spend the day somewhere air-conditioned (shopping centre, museum). Without air-con the nights are rough.

What to do as a resident

Call your parents and grandparents. Several times a week. Heatstroke in older people creeps up — confusion, no thirst, weakness. Get to a doctor early.

Check medication. Some drugs — particularly diuretics, antihypertensives, antidepressants — affect heat regulation. Ask your GP whether doses should be adjusted.

Garden and terrace. Clear dry leaves now; maintaining a firebreak around homes near woods is the owner's legal duty (Ley 5/2014). Skip it and you risk a fine — and at worst your own house.

Electricity bill. Running A/C full-tilt this week will cost more than Mogán's tourist tax for 14 nights. Check tariff zones and avoid peak running between 10–14 and 18–22 — that's the most expensive band.

What hikers and athletes need to know

Trail running, GR131, Ironman prep. The whole weekend was the Ironman Lanzarote — 1,400 athletes got through it because they knew what was coming. Anyone training privately at that level should pause this week or train before 7 and after 19. Not between 12 and 17.

Water sports. Surfing, SUP, snorkelling. The water looks refreshing but isn't always safe. Currents at Maspalomas and Las Canteras can turn treacherous with dry south-westerly winds. Follow the red flag. Full stop.

Mountain tours. Roque Nublo, Pico de las Nieves, the Teide ascent via Montaña Blanca — only with a guide or at least in pairs this week. Emergency number 112 works on the islands, even in dead zones via satellite.

If it's already too late: recognise the symptoms

Heat exhaustion (get into shade): heavy sweating, cold clammy skin, fast weak pulse, nausea, headache, dizziness. Action: shade, legs elevated, water, cold cloth on neck and underarms.

Heatstroke (emergency): hot dry skin (no sweat any more), body temperature over 40°C, confusion, loss of consciousness. Action: call 112 immediately, move person to shade, cool with water, do not give drinks if unconscious.

Sunstroke (emergency): severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, high fever. Action: 112, cool the head, medical help.

In every case: 112 is the emergency number. Free, works without SIM, in every EU language.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the heatwave last?

According to Aemet's current forecast, at least until mid next week, i.e. Wednesday or Thursday. Daily updates at aemet.es or via the «Avisos AEMET» app.

Will the beaches close?

No. Beaches stay open. But: red flag means no swimming — police check, fines up to €1,500. Yellow flag: caution, weak swimmers out.

What happens with hiking trails?

If the alert is upgraded to «alerta», some natural parks close partially — Roque Nublo, Garajonay, Las Cañadas. They're all open right now, but status can change daily. Call the island's Cabildo or check their website before heading out.

Are flights affected?

No. Las Palmas, Tenerife Sur and Norte airports operate normally. Heat rarely disrupts commercial aviation.

Do I get compensation if the hotel's air-con fails?

Spanish consumer law: if the hotel doesn't deliver promised services such as air-conditioning, you can demand a Hojas de Reclamaciones (complaint form). Spending three days in a 4-star with no A/C is grounds for a serious refund claim later.

When does the heatwave end?

At the latest, when the north-easterly trade winds return. Aemet expects that towards the end of the week.