The National Directorate of Emergencies and Civil Protection (ANEPC) will add another 60 units to the fight against the fire that has been raging in the autonomous region of Madeira for a week, an official source of the organization confirmed this Wednesday.
According to the same source, reinforcements to fight the fires in Madeira are leaving the mainland at 14:30 on an Air Force KC-390 aircraft and are led by the 2nd Sub-Regional Commander of the West, Rodolfo Batista.
The contingent also includes 29 firefighters from the Special Civil Protection Force (FEPC), 15 volunteer firefighters from the Greater Lisbon Region and 15 soldiers from the Emergency Protection and Assistance Unit (UEPS) of the GNR.
The request for a new reinforcement of firefighting capabilities was announced this morning by the President of the Regional Civil Protection Service, António Nunes – initially indicating 45 elements – and follows the dispatch of the first contingent from ANEPC with 76 members, which left on Saturday for Madeira.
In a statement released later, the Regional Secretariat of Health and Civil Protection of Madeira said reinforcements were requested this morning “following a ‘briefing’ with the Special Civil Protection Force” and “taking into account the evolution of the fire.”
In the note, the regional government also indicated that the Minister of Health and Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, along with the President of the Regional Civil Protection Service, António Nunes, “are on the ground supervising firefighting operations.”
“Early this morning, he met with the teams of the Regional Civil Protection Service and then went to Achadas do Teixeira and Pico do Areiro. The team continues to actively act on the ground to stop the fire from spreading,” the statement said.
The rural fire on the island of Madeira broke out a week ago, on August 14, 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 Camara de Lobos.
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.
Some firefighters were treated for exhaustion and minor injuries without further damage.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System, cited by the president of the Regional Civil Protection Service, António Nunes, indicates that approximately 4,393 hectares had been burned as of 12:00 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.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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