Madeira Battles Wildfire
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Loading... - Johann Huber
- 19 Aug 2024
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On Sunday, Portuguese firefighters were in a race against time as they battled a raging wildfire that has been wreaking havoc along Madeira’s southern coast, a region known for its popularity among tourists. The fire, which ignited on Wednesday in the remote area of Ribeira Brava, has rapidly spread to the neighboring municipality of Camara de Lobos, creating a multi-front disaster that has stretched both firefighting resources and local communities to their limits.
Nearly 200 firefighters, supported by 38 firefighting vehicles, have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze. However, their efforts have been hampered by a perfect storm of high temperatures, low humidity, and unrelenting winds. Even a helicopter that was deployed to assist in the firefighting efforts was forced to retreat as night fell, leaving ground crews to continue the fight against the advancing flames.
Miguel Albuquerque, the President of Madeira, expressed his frustration and anger, attributing the fire to arson. He emphasized that the fire started in a secluded area where aerial firefighting support was ineffective, making the situation even more challenging.
While no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, the fire has prompted the evacuation of 160 people as a precautionary measure. The entire coastline of Madeira, which is home to approximately 250,000 residents, has been placed on orange alert—the second-highest level—due to the extreme temperatures.
Weather conditions in Madeira have been dire, with temperatures soaring to 30°C (86°F), further intensifying the fire. Strong winds have not only fanned the flames but also led to several flight cancellations, disrupting travel to and from the island. In response to the escalating crisis, Portugal has dispatched an additional 76 firefighters from the mainland, with 15 more expected to arrive from the Azores later today.
As the situation remains critical, Madeira continues to battle the relentless inferno, which shows no signs of abating. The island's residents and emergency services are bracing for what could be a prolonged and grueling fight against the flames.
