“We have some trails closed and policing has been reinforced by both the PSP and the Forest Police, because yesterday [Wednesday] throughout the day, almost all tourists disrespected [the circulation ban], both on the Levada do Rei and on the access to Queimadas, on the Levada do Rancho, between Pico das Pedras and Queimadas,” Dinarte Fernandes told Lusa agency.
The mayor said he understands the frustration of tourists who want to traverse the municipality’s mountains, but despite some trails crossing areas far from active fire hotspots, he insists on keeping them closed.
“We can’t leave these trails open, at the risk of accidents with tourists, and then we have to mobilize resources that are currently essential for fighting fires on the ground and not for mountain rescue,” he warned.
Dinarte Fernandes indicated that the most critical fire is “boxed in at the bottom of the valley” and the concern is that it could climb the slope. It’s being fought by the Regional Civil Protection Service helicopter, the only aerial means available in the autonomous region.
“The fire, at the moment, is in places that can only be fought by air, because human resources on the ground are complicated,” he explained, adding that the weather in that area “is quite hot,” but there’s no wind, a circumstance that leads to smoke accumulation and hinders visibility.
The mayor of Santana also mentioned that the fire has not yet reached the Laurissilva forest, but admitted that if it’s not contained at the bottom of the valley, there’s that possibility.
The fire in Madeira continues today with two active fire areas, with the one that evolved towards the central mountain range, mainly in Achada do Teixeira, Pico Ruivo, being the most concerning, according to the Regional Civil Protection Service.
“At this moment, we continue with two areas that cause us concern, mainly in Achada do Teixeira, in Pico Ruivo, in the central mountain range of Madeira Island. In this area, during the night we had some developments due to wind action, with the fire progressing on the eastern slope of Pico Ruivo and descending towards Fajã da Nogueira, which is a concerning area,” said the president of the Regional Civil Protection Service in statements to Lusa agency around 08:00.
According to António Nunes, the flames are also progressing downwards towards the north to Caldeirão do Inferno, also in the municipality of Santana, which is equally concerning as it’s in the Laurissilva forest.
The firefighting will be reinforced with two Canadair planes requested by the Portuguese Government from the European Union, as part of the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which arrive in Madeira today.
Today, there are also 60 operatives on the ground who joined the Special Civil Protection Force and arrived in the region on Wednesday.
“With the arrival of 60 more firefighters to Madeira, at this moment, this force now integrates 151 operatives in fighting fires in Madeira,” states a note from the Regional Secretary of Health and Civil Protection.
The fire on Madeira Island broke out on August 14 in the mountains of Ribeira Brava municipality, progressively spreading to the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and, through Pico Ruivo, Santana.
Authorities instructed nearly 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and made public shelter equipment available, but many residents have already returned, except for those from Fajã das Galinhas in Câmara de Lobos.
Fighting the flames has been hampered by wind and high temperatures, but there’s no record of destruction of houses or essential infrastructure.
Some firefighters received assistance for exhaustion or minor injuries, with no other injuries reported.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicate more than 4,930 hectares of burned area.
The Judicial Police is investigating the causes of the fire, but the president of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, said it was arson.
