PS This Monday, Madeira said that “something must be done” in terms of preventing and combating rural fires in the archipelago, and believes that the regional government is “asleep” in the face of the fire that broke out on Wednesday in the west of the island.
“I believe that the position of the chairman of the regional government was incorrect. [o social-democrata Miguel Albuquerque]who added fuel to the fire when he came to accuse those who, like us, with our responsibility, of being “vultures” or “bench coaches” […]”We drew attention to less correct moments that, in our opinion, occurred,” said the president of the regional PS.
Paulo Cafofo spoke to journalists in the parish of Serra de Água, in the municipality of Ribeira Brava, one of the most affected by the fires, where he went to “connect with the population” and express the “solidarity support” of the party to the people and forces involved in the struggle.
“This fire has demonstrated that something needs to be done, whether in terms of prevention or in terms of the response to the fire itself,” he said, stressing that despite “episodes of fires” over the years, the authorities have not acted as they should in terms of territorial planning, risk reduction and forest protection.
Paulo Cafofo, however, considered that now was not the time to determine responsibility, but reiterated the party’s critical position towards the position of the regional government led by the SDP.
“We had an active fire and a sleeping government,” he said, adding that the PS, as the largest opposition party in Madeira, “will later intervene to determine responsibility.”
“We can’t just look at what’s burning and what resources are needed to fight the fires,” he said, adding, however, that he considered the republic’s government’s cooperation in providing air resources “essential.”
The rural fire broke out on Wednesday in the Ribeira Brava mountains, spreading to the neighbouring municipality of Camara de Lobos the following day and to the municipality of Ponta do Sol via Paul da Serra over the weekend.
By Sunday, 160 people had been evicted from their homes as a precaution and taken to community facilities, but many residents had already returned or were returning home.
Firefighting efforts were made more difficult by calming winds and high temperatures, but there were no reports of injuries or damage to homes or critical infrastructure.
Around two hundred fighters (including from the mainland and the Azores) and several dozen vehicles, in addition to the archipelago’s air force, have been mobilized to fight the fire, with attention focused mainly on the municipalities of Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol.
Regional government president Miguel Albuquerque says it was arson, but the cause has not yet been revealed.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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