Forest fire on Portugal's Madeira Island continues after five days August 20, 2024

Photo of Madeira by Carsten Ruthemann (Pexels)

By AFP - Agence France Presse

Forest fire on Portugal's Madeira Island continues after five days

A vast forest fire that has been raging on the Portuguese island of Madeira for five days has been partially brought under control, authorities said on Monday.

So far, at least 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) of trees and vegetation have been destroyed by the fire on the summer island, with one of its three fronts still burning, local authorities said.

The fire started on Wednesday in the rural area of Ribeira Brava, in the west of the Atlantic island, before spreading, driven by winds and high temperatures, to the neighboring districts of Câmara de Lobos and Ponta do Sol.

Around 160 people were evacuated from their homes on Sunday, while 200 firefighters tried to fight the blaze in mountainous terrain that was difficult to access.

But Miguel Albuquerque, head of the regional government, told reporters that no one had died and that “no homes or essential infrastructure had been destroyed”.

All those who were evacuated have now returned to their homes.

Leonel Silva, mayor of Câmara de Lobos, said that the two fronts of the fire in his district were under control. “The fire is practically extinguished,” he told the Lusa news agency.

The third front in Ponta do Sol is still burning, according to Mayor Célia Pessegueiro, but no houses are threatened.

Portugal sent 76 firefighters from the mainland on Saturday to reinforce the brigades on the island, which is about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from Morocco.

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