The National Union calls for the immediate resignation of those responsible for civil defence in Madeira

The National Union of Civil Protection has demanded the immediate dismissal of the President of the Civil Protection of Madeira, António Nunes, and the regional secretary of civil protection, Pedro Ramos, due to the fire that has been raging on the island for eight days.

“We hope that the competent authorities will take the necessary measures to carry out these replacements quickly and transparently, ensuring that civil defence is led by people truly qualified to protect and serve our community,” added the National Union of Civil Protection (SNPC).

In a statement, the SNPC said it was following the work of firefighters at the fire with “deep outrage and concern”, finding it “unacceptable” that the fire had remained active and worsened after a week, which it said revealed “a clear lack of leadership and competence on the part of those who are supposed to ensure the safety and well-being of the community”.

The union criticised, above all, the resistance to seeking external assistance and considered that the response was “belated, disorganised and insufficient”, which “puts human lives, natural heritage and the safety of all Madeirans at risk”.

“We do not understand why the assistance of the Protocol with the Canary Islands, which is included in the Regional Civil Protection Contingency Plan of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, has not yet been activated,” he said.

The rural fire on the island of Madeira broke out a week ago, on the 14th, in the mountains of the municipality of Ribeira Brava, gradually spreading to the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol and through Pico Ruivo Santana.

During these eight days, authorities ordered almost 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and set up community reception centres, but many residents have already returned, with the exception of Fajã das Galinhas in Câmara de Lobos and Furna in Ribeira Brava.

The fight against the fire was complicated by the dying wind and high temperatures, but there was no evidence of destruction of houses or vital infrastructure.

Four firefighters were hospitalized for exhaustion and illness, but there were no further injuries.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System, cited by the president of the Regional Civil Protection Service, António Nunes, indicates 4,392 hectares of burnt area as of 12 noon on Tuesday.

The Judicial Police is investigating the cause of the fire, but the President of the Executive Power of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, claims it was arson.