TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A wildfire that broke out in a national park on the Spanish island of Tenerife has spread to 300 hectares, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of five villages and to cut off access to the forest surrounding the Mount Teide volcano. "The fire is powerful and is in a complicated area," Canary Islands regional President Fernando Clavijo told a news conference in Tenerife. [1/5]Flames and smoke rise as wildfire burns on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain, August 16, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. During the last week, a heatwave in the Canary Islands has left many areas bone dry and increased the risk of wildfires. This summer, firefighters have extinguished a series of forest fires on the islands of Gran Canaria and La Palma, which form part of the Canary Islands archipelago.

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Persons: Fernando Clavijo, Pedro Martinez, Gerardo Ibelli, Rosa Davila, Davila, Corina Pons, Inti Landauro, Angus MacSwan, Charlie Devereux, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Media, Gran Canaria, La, Radio Canarias, Thomson Locations: TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain, Tenerife, Arrate, Gran, Spanish