Despite the fact that the hiking trails are closed, many tourists continue to ignore the signs and pass through the barriers that have been set up. In the higher areas of Ponta do Sol, where the mayor has been monitoring the progress of the flames, walkers have been visible from a distance along Levada Nova and Levada do Moinho, precisely in the valley where the flames continue to spread further north.
“Yesterday we closed the levadas and people continue to pass through the barriers”, stated Célia Pessegueiro, considering this to be “disrespectful” towards those who are fighting the fire. The mayor warned that, due to the fires, there is a constant risk of falling rocks, and appealed to common sense.