“In response to Portugal’s request for assistance to combat the severe forest fires in Madeira since yesterday [Wednesday] evening, we are coordinating the dispatch of two firefighting aircraft from the EU’s strategic reserve in Spain,” announced European Commissioner Janez Lenarcic in a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
“The planes will arrive in Madeira today,” the official added.
This information comes a day after the Government announced it would activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which includes a strategic reserve of resources, to send two Canadair firefighting aircraft to help combat the fire that has been burning for eight days in Madeira.
The fire on the island of Madeira 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 shelter facilities available, but many residents have already returned, except for those from Fajã das Galinhas in Câmara de Lobos.
Firefighting efforts have been hampered by wind and high temperatures, but there are no reports of destruction to homes or essential infrastructure.
Some firefighters have received assistance for exhaustion or minor injuries, with no other injuries reported.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that more than 4,930 hectares of area have burned.
The Judicial Police are investigating the causes of the fire, but the president of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, said it was arson.
