Portugal: Large fire burns southern part of Madeira

Hundreds of firefighters in Portugal have been mobilised to battle a blaze burning in the southern part of Madeira, a popular tourist destination in the Atlantic Ocean, with strong winds complicating their work.

Firefighters fight on three fronts

The fire broke out on Wednesday in the isolated rural area of ​​Ribeira Brava and spread to the neighbouring municipality of Camara de Lobos. It is now burning on three fronts, according to local authorities.

About 200 firefighters with 38 vehicles have been deployed to the island, but high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds are making it difficult to put out the blaze. An earlier helicopter landing had to be halted after dark.

Watch videos and photos

🚨🇵🇹 A huge forest fire is ravaging the southern coast of Madeira, with more than 200 firefighters battling the blaze. The fire, which started in Ribeira Brava, has spread to Câmara de Lobos. Strong winds and high temperatures are complicating efforts. 160 people have been evacuated. #Madeira #Portugal… pic.twitter.com/52ZihCn5Xl

— WorldCrisisMonitor (@WorldCrisisMoni) August 18, 2024

🔴⚠🔥🇵🇹An environmental disaster may occur #Cerradiagua in #Madeirawhere a #forest fires It began on August 14 and has spread out of control over an area of ​​more than 20 square kilometers. #Landsat 8 📸 On August 16, the three large fire fronts appear, and a huge smoke column reaches #Funchal.#Portugal pic.twitter.com/vJTkqo7iWg

— Sat World (@or_bit_eye) August 18, 2024

#Madeira The island is burning again 😑#Portugal pic.twitter.com/fgbGQXIP3f

— ʞɐʎssǝlʍɐ˥.bitcoin (@lawlessyak) August 18, 2024

The President of the Regional Government of Madeira reported an arson attack.

“This is a very serious fire, I have no doubt that it was caused by arson, in a difficult-to-access area where air vehicles cannot intervene,” Madeira regional government president Miguel Albuquerque told reporters.

No injuries were reported, but 160 people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.

The entire coast of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal with a population of around 250,000, has been placed on “orange alert” until Monday due to high temperatures. According to the IPMA meteorological service, temperatures on the island in the previous days reached 30 degrees Celsius. Due to the strong winds that fanned the fires, dozens of flights were cancelled.

Portugal sent 76 firefighters from the mainland to Madeira yesterday, while another 15 firefighters are expected to arrive from the neighbouring Azores archipelago tonight.

Source: RES-MPE