The forest fire which began on Saturday April 26th 2008 and affected for four days the municipalities of northern La Gomera burnt two Sites of Community Interest (SCI) of great ecological value, according to the president of the Island Council, Casimiro Curbelo, who presented the overall assessment of the damage caused by the fire.

Curbelo reported that the total losses, excluding the employment scheme needed to restore the affected agricultural and forested areas, are estimated at 8.866.007 euros, and detailed that the area which was eventually burnt sums up 424 hectares, "although the actual extent of affected land is greater, because of the slopes of the area", he added.

Curbelo stressed the damage of the SCI Teselinde within the municipality of Vallehermoso, which occupies 54 hectares, and the ravines of El Cedro and Liria, with 186 hectares, in Hermigua, and reported that the Island Council of La Gomera has already sent to the Canary Islands Government and National Executive the full reports, which insular technicians have developed after visiting the places where the fire occurred.

"Finally we have counted a total of 27 affected houses, 26 in the town of Hermigua and 1 in Agulo, with a total damage amounting to 349.827 euros. The damage has not been less significant in infrastructure, when we consider facilities as important as the dam of Liria, where a break down caused the rupture of a valve and the loss of 45.000 cubic meters of water", Curbelo affirmed.

He also referred to the damage in water distribution networks and reservoirs valued at 277.062 euros, and in two insular roads leading from Las Rosas to Juego de Bolas and from La Palmita to Los Aceviños, where total losses of more than 1 million euros have been recorded. Curbelo also recalled that the losses in agricultural production exceed 3 million euros, and commented that the Island Council of La Gomera has reports of damage to municipal infrastructure exceeding 3,2 million euros.

"There are many details, but above all we must bear in mind that the fire hit the three municipalities in the north, which coincide with the three most depressed municipalities of the island of La Gomera in social and economic terms, and that is why we from the Island Council place particular emphasis on the need to join efforts of all institutions to achieve restore normalcy and recover these areas", Curbelo concluded.