A challenging fire that started after 9:30 am on August 14th in Serra de Água, was how the regional secretary for Health, Pedro Ramos, classified what has been happening since Wednesday. And to make matters worse, the forecasts point to continued hot, dry and very windy weather. Therefore, the request for support from the Republic was made this afternoon after initially thinking that it might not be necessary.
In the face of public criticism of the decision not to call on State support to combat the fires, Pedro Ramos assured in a press conference this afternoon/evening at the Regional Civil Protection Service that he has always been in contact with the Secretary of State in charge.
In addition to the resources (80) that are arriving at midnight, the government official says that the mobilization of resources from the Azores, between 15 and 20 firefighters, is being considered.
On the Madeira side, there are 108 men and women on the ground out of the 750 firefighters in the Region, not forgetting 15 forest police officers, 4 GNR operatives and 11 PSP agents and their respective vehicles.
There are currently active fronts in Encumeada (Serra de Água), in Curral das Freiras and in Jardim da Serra.