Winds predominantly from the northeast quadrant in the central mountain range of Madeira Island have contributed to the spread of the fire to the west.
The predominantly northeasterly winds that occur in the central mountain range of Madeira Island have contributed to the spread of the fire, which broke out on Wednesday in Serra de Água, to the western side of Madeira Island, in the direction of Paul da Serra.
According to records from the meteorological stations of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the maximum gust was recorded at Pico Alto, in the mountains of Funchal, in the northeast quadrant, in the early hours of this Sunday (92 km/h).
This has, in fact, been the predominant direction of the winds that sweep the central mountain range of Madeira Island and which explains the trajectory of the fire towards the mountains of the municipality of Ponta do Sol, this being the active front that has raised the most concerns among Civil Protection operatives and where efforts are being combined to contain the progression of the flames and the spread of the fire to sensitive areas, namely areas of the Laurissilva Forest or vital infrastructures for the production of wind and hydroelectric energy.