“This is a method that we understand to be effective at this moment, to try to control this fire front, and if we manage to control this fire front, the issue will be resolved,” said the President of the Regional Government (PSD), Miguel Albuquerque, shortly after the first water drops, around 5:30 PM.
Albuquerque spoke to journalists at Pico do Areeiro, in the mountains overlooking Funchal, facing a fire line burning on a slope towards Pico Ruivo, the highest point on Madeira Island, at 1,862 meters.
“This drop from the two Canadair planes was about seven tons of water. Our helicopter carries less than a thousand liters, so that’s seven helicopter trips,” he emphasized, expressing confidence that it will be possible to control the fire if the operation continues today and Friday.
The archipelago’s helicopter is the only permanent aerial means the region has for fighting fires and has been active since 2018.
Although the Canadair planes were made available eight days after the fire started (and began operating today, the ninth day), as part of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Miguel Albuquerque believes that the “strategy was not delayed.”
“We adopt this strategy when it’s possible to adopt the strategy, that is, the Canadair can only intervene — and it’s the first time they intervene in Madeira — in a situation where there are no urban agglomerations or agriculture […] and the only chance we have for [this] intervention was when the fire left Pico do Cardo [in Curral das Freiras] for the central mountain range,” he explained.
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, to Santana.
Authorities instructed nearly 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and made public reception facilities available, but many residents have already returned, except for those from Fajã das Galinhas in Câmara de Lobos.
Fighting the flames has been made difficult by wind and high temperatures, but there are no reports 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 indicates more than 4,930 hectares of burned area.
The Judiciary Police is investigating the causes of the fire, but the president of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, said it was arson.
