Fire approaches houses in Jardim da Serra

A total of 56 firefighters from the Volunteer Firefighters of Câmara de Lobos, Firefighters of Funchal, Volunteer Firefighters of Madeira, Mixed Firefighters of Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, Firefighters of Santa Cruz and Municipal Firefighters of Machico are on the ground fighting the large fire that continues to rage in Ribeira Brava and in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, having reached the parish of Curral das Freiras this morning.

Elements of the Regional Relief Operations Command (CROA) and the SRPC Mobile Telecommunications and Emergency Unit are also on site.

The helicopter has also started dropping water, as the fire is in areas that are difficult to access.

According to the Regional Civil Protection Service, the fire remains active on the Encumeada front, although outside residential areas, where a Rural Firefighting Team (ECIR), assigned to the Mixed Firefighters of Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, maintains active surveillance.

In the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, a branch fire continues to burn between the localities of Jardim da Serra and Curral das Freiras, with the flames in Jardim da Serra approaching residential areas, although there are still no homes in danger.

In Curral das Freiras, the fire has already spread across the entire hillside, putting the areas of Seara Velha and Terra Chã de Cima at risk. As DIÁRIO has already reported, the evolution of the fire in this parish has led to the evacuation of residents from their homes for safety and precaution, triggered by the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Câmara de Lobos.

“The Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service reiterates that fighting the fire has been especially difficult due to the progression of the fire in areas that are difficult to access by land. Despite the adverse conditions, such as high temperatures, low humidity, strong winds and complex topography, the teams are in the theatre of operations making every effort to control the flames and safeguard homes”, it says.

From Diário Notícias