This is the view from Ermita de Igualero across the Barranco de Erque to the magnificent rock fortress La Fortaleza after the devastating forest fires ravages the heart of the island. In October 2007, the same view would yield a spectacular green valley as you can see below, flanked by thriving laurel forests on the right.
There are no words that can begin to describe the loss of the laurel forest reduced to a marsian landscape by forest fires.
Unfortunately, the difference between these two images is even worse considering that the above was taken after an unusual wet two months rainy season and that the below was taken at the end of a very dry summer.
The devastation to the island is immense.