A 53 year old man from Hermigua has been arrested accused of causing a forest fire that has destroyed around 800 hectares close to the Garajonay national park. The blaze, which is almost now under control, is alleged to have been started accidentally as the detained man was burning stubble on his farm in Ibo Alfaro.

A forest fire fed by strong winds and high temperatures that broke out on the island of La Gomera in the Canaries last Saturday has so far destroyed between 700-800 hectares.
Ground-based fire-fighters battled throughout the night to control the only remaining active front - to the north of the town of Hermigua, near the outlying villages of La Palmita and Los Acevi?os - which is threatening the nearby Garajonay national park.
They were joined at first light this morning from above by four helicopters and three hydroplanes.
All those evacuated from their homes yesterday have now been allowed to return except for residents of the two aforementioned rural settlements.