A change in wind direction on Tuesday blew volcanic ashes, which irritate the eyes and lungs, over a vast area on the western side of the island.
Authorities have warned people to clean food and clothes to avoid ingesting the toxic ash.
The volcano has also been spewing out 8,000 to 10,500 tons of sulfur dioxide, which also affects the lungs, every day, according to the Volcanology Institute.
However, the Canary Islands’ chief vulcanologist, Miguel Angel Morcuende, said the levels of toxic gases currently being emitted were not dangerous for humans.
“There is no problem with the sulphur levels,” he said. “The readings being taken are not dangerous for human health.”
However, a thick plume of cloud has spread some 2.6 miles (4.2km) into the air, raising concerns around visibility for pilots.
The island’s airport remains open but authorities have told flights to stay away from the eruption site.
Winds are expected to push the cloud eastward over the rest of the Canary Islands, the Iberian peninsula and the Mediterranean, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.
How is the government helping?
Mr Torres described the region as a “catastrophe zone” and said he would request funding to rebuild roads, water pipes and create temporary accommodation for families who have lost homes and their farmland.
