The tradition of the torches is a secular event that has been held over the years and this year will be no exception. The event will take place in the same manner as in previous years,” stated Ricardo Franco in a statement to Lusa news agency.
The mayor assured that all safety conditions are in place, despite the fire that has been affecting Madeira for more than a week, also noting that in previous years the event was held even when fires were affecting the island.
The mayor of Machico (PS) explained that before lighting the torches, a “preventive burn” is carried out by the fire department in the areas where they are located. “The grass and low vegetation near the torches are burned, which means that even if any ember falls from the structure on the day of lighting, it won’t burn because the area is already burned,” he said.
During the lighting of the torches, which lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, about 20 firefighters will accompany “the entire process,” he added.
“In the summer of 2016, when the major fires occurred in Funchal, which unfortunately claimed lives, the lighting of the torches was carried out. What seems to me is that there is an attempt here to transform this significant tradition […] into a kind of scapegoat for what is happening in Madeira,” he considered.
“I think it makes no sense to try to put on the same level the result of criminal attitudes, setting fire to the forest, with an event that is prepared with all care and prevention,” the mayor reinforced.
PAN/Madeira indicated in a note released today that it formally requested the municipality of Machico “to cancel the traditional burning of the torches, as a sign of respect and solidarity with the firefighters who have heroically fought tirelessly to combat the fires” and “in homage to the vast area of territory that was tragically destroyed by the flames.”
“We recognize the cultural and historical importance of this tradition in the municipality of Machico, however, given that it involves the use of torches and fire, we consider it inappropriate and even disrespectful at a time when our island is ravaged by fires. This practice, although controlled, symbolizes something that currently brings immense pain and concern to the people of Madeira,” says the party’s sole deputy in the regional parliament, Mónica Freitas, quoted in the statement.
In the note, PAN also indicates that it promoted a petition against the torch burning, which at 4:15 pm today had gathered 382 signatures.
“This appeal has been made even by other political forces and environmental associations, namely Quercus, and it should be in this sense of unity that, putting political colors aside, we appeal to the responsibility and good sense of the region’s mayors,” the deputy further states.
On Wednesday, at a press conference, the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, did not oppose the event “as long as it does not jeopardize the means” of fighting the fire and “does not have implications” for Civil Protection.
Previously, the Regional Secretary for Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, had stated in statements to RTP/Madeira that the religious festival should take place without the burning of the torches.
This secular tradition is integrated into the religious festival of the Blessed Sacrament.
The torches symbolize the bonfires that were made in the past to warn populations of attacks by pirates and corsairs.
The rural fire on the island of Madeira broke out on August 14 in the mountains of the municipality of Ribeira Brava, 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 is no record of destruction of houses or essential infrastructure.
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.
