The fire that broke out on Wednesday morning in the municipality of Ribeira Brava, Madeira, and spread to the neighboring municipality of Câmara de Lobos the following day, continues to burn with three active fronts: Serra de Água, Fajã das Galinhas, and Curral das Freiras.
On the ground, there are 120 operatives from all fire departments, supported by 43 vehicles and an aerial resource that has already begun operations, according to the situation update provided this morning by Civil Protection.
The joint force of 76 personnel, deployed from the mainland to support firefighting efforts, has been conducting terrain reconnaissance in recent hours and will now focus efforts on the Serra de Água area.
This contingent, it should be noted, arrived at Madeira International Airport in the early hours of Sunday, where it was received by the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque.
The Public Security Police (PSP) has cut off traffic in the tunnel accessing Curral das Freiras, with passage only allowed for some residents. The express road between Ribeira Brava and São Vicente is also closed, as confirmed by the regional command.
The Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service reiterates that burning and barbecues in forest areas are prohibited. Due to high temperatures, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) also advises against any visits to the region’s mountains and reminds that several hiking trails and barbecue areas under its management are closed as a preventive and safety measure.
The entire staff of the Forest Police Corps, Sappers, and Nature Wardens are on the ground, actively collaborating in fighting the fire.
“The SRPC, IP-RAM continues to closely monitor the evolution of the fires and reiterates the appeal to the population to avoid traveling to affected areas, thus allowing for a more effective and safe operation by the combat teams,” concludes the statement released this morning by the authorities.
