The fire that started this Wednesday, August 14, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira remains active, with three active fronts currently burning in the municipalities of Ribeira Brava and Câmara de Lobos.
In a statement issued, the Regional Civil Protection Service took stock of the situation at 8 pm, reporting that the flames continue to advance towards the parish of Curral das Freiras.
In the municipality of Ribeira Brava, in the Trompica and Lugar da Serra areas, there is an active fire front, outside the residential area, which is currently considered to be without immediate danger. The flames are burning in an area inaccessible to land vehicles, and there is a fire-fighting vehicle and three operatives from the Rural Firefighting Team (ECIR), assigned to the Mixed Firefighters of Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, in the theatre of operations.
In Jardim da Serra, two fire fronts remain active, one facing south, towards a residential area, and the other facing north, progressing towards Vereda da Encumeada. Due to the complexity of the situation, the number of vehicles and operatives on site has been increased, now counting eight fire-fighting vehicles and 26 operatives from the Volunteer Firefighters of Câmara de Lobos, Companhia de Bombeiros Sapadores do Funchal and Bombeiros Voluntários Madeirenses.
The Regional Civil Protection Service notes that fighting the fire “has been particularly difficult due to the fact that the fire is spreading in areas that are difficult for pedestrians to access”.
Elements of the IFCN and PSP remain on the ground.