“Resources are scarce for everyone, and deploying means to stay at the beginning of the routes to enforce closures is not the best measure. Therefore, all resources are committed to fighting fires,” he stated.
The Institute’s president called for compliance with the rules of not using the classified routes that have been closed, arguing that it is a way to “safeguard people themselves and also the entire system, because if something happens, rescue is needed, and there are no means for that purpose.”
Manuel Filipe mentioned that “several routes were closed, some as a preventive measure, others for safety,” following the fire that has been burning on Madeira Island since Wednesday.
“But what we have observed is that there are tourists who effectively do not comply, who pass all the signage, not following the rules, and this has caused us some problems,” he pointed out.
Although the Forest Police is not permanently engaged in monitoring the trails, on Sunday it was possible to identify three citizens who will be subject to a fine for frequenting the pedestrian route that connects Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, which is very popular among tourists, said Manuel Filipe.
According to the IFCN, fourteen classified pedestrian routes and four leisure areas are closed.
In a note sent on Sunday, the IFCN indicated that the following trails are closed: Ilha, Pico Ruivo, Lagoa do Vento, Pico Fernandes, Túnel do Cavalo, Câmara de Carga do Rabaçal, and Palha Carga, as well as the levadas of 25 Fontes, Velha do Rabaçal, Risco, Alecrim, Paul II – a path for all, and Rocha Vermelha. The Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal is also impassable.
The leisure areas of Fonte do Bispo, Cruzinhas, Fanal, and Rabaçal are also closed, with the institute advising against circulation in the mountainous areas of the region.
The rural fire in Madeira broke out on Wednesday in the mountains of Ribeira Brava, spreading the following day to the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, and, over the weekend, to the municipality of Ponta do Sol.
In these seven days, authorities have instructed nearly 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and provided public accommodation facilities, but many residents have already returned, except for Fajã das Galinhas in Câmara de Lobos and Furna in Ribeira Brava.
Firefighting efforts have been hampered by wind, now reduced, and high temperatures, but there is no record of destruction of houses and essential infrastructure. One firefighter received hospital assistance due to exhaustion, with no other injuries reported.
Projections from the European Forest Fire Information System, cited by the Regional Government, indicate seven thousand hectares burned.
The Judiciary Police is investigating the causes, but the president of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, says it is arson.
