The European Commission announced on Thursday that it is ready to mobilise additional resources to help fight the fire in Madeira in “challenging conditions”.
In a statement, the EU spokesman said it was “monitoring the situation closely” and “stands ready to deploy additional resources if necessary.”
“The European Commission is mobilising support for Portugal in the fight against the forest fire near Ribeira Brava in Madeira. […] The Copernicus satellite emergency system was also activated to provide maps to local authorities,” the agency said in a statement.
It was announced this morning that two Canadair firefighting aircraft, requested by the Portuguese Government from the EU as part of the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, will arrive in Madeira this Thursday.
“Following yesterday’s activation by Portugal of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism [quarta-feira] In the evening, the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre immediately coordinated the dispatch of two Canadair firefighting aircraft from the EU rescue service. [reserva estratégica da UE] which will depart from Spain to Madeira today,” the agency said in a press release, noting that “the aircraft will help local authorities extinguish fires by providing the necessary air support in difficult conditions.”
In total, the EU’s strategic reserve for the fire season consists of 28 fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters deployed in 10 Member States, with more than 560 firefighters from 12 countries pre-positioned across Europe.
The news comes a day after the Portuguese government announced it would activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which holds a strategic reserve of resources, to send two Canadair firefighting aircraft to help fight the blaze that has been raging in Madeira for eight days.
The fire on the island of Madeira broke out on August 14 in the mountains of the municipality of Ribeira Brava and gradually spread to the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol and, via Pico Ruiva, Santana.
Authorities ordered about 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 those in Fajã das Galinhas, in Camara de Lobos.
Fighting the blaze is being made difficult by wind and high temperatures, but no damage to homes or important infrastructure has been reported.
Some firefighters were treated for exhaustion or minor injuries without further injury.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, the area of burnt areas exceeds 4,930 hectares.
The Judicial Police are investigating the cause of the fire, but the President of the Executive Power of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, said it was arson.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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