A blaze of fire has been devouring Madeira for several days.
The unfortunate forest fires on Madeira, a Portuguese Atlantic island, have scorched over 5500 hectares of natural terrain – approximately the size of Borkum's Eastern Frisia. The Portuguese television broadcaster, RTP, reported this, basing its findings on the Copernicus Earth observation program. Approximately 200 locals had to relocate temporarily out of fear of smoke inhalation but have since returned to their homes. There have been no reported injuries or property damage yet.
[](image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/madeira-atlantic-island-120604/)
Since August 14, the fires have ravaged the central area of the island, and 125 firefighters and civil protection units have been battling the blaze, as per the civil protection agency's announcement. Two Spanish firefighting aircraft, as confirmed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen via Twitter, have now joined the endeavor to halt the fire's spread. "This is an example of useful EU solidarity," she tweeted. The Canadian-style aircraft and their crew are supporting the Portuguese authorities to keep the fire from advancing any further. Lisbon had requested help from its EU peers under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism the previous day.
Is the laurel forest at risk?
Regional governor Miguel Albuquerque dismissed claims by environmental activists that the fires had breached the UNESCO World Heritage-designated laurel forest. He assured that the fire had not encroached upon the protected area.
The firefighting mission faced challenges due to powerful winds and scorching temperatures. Reports indicate that there were three active fronts burning across a tough-to-reach mountainous range. The firefighters' primary objective was to prevent the fire from reaching the laurel forest and a hydroelectric power plant in the Pico Ruivo zone. Albuquerque reassured that there was no danger to either people or residential areas.
Albuquerque defended himself against accusations that he had downplayed the fire and waited too long to terminate his vacation. He strongly disagreed with the "alarming rhetoric" and stated that the festivals in Madeira, an island with approximately 250,000 inhabitants, situated about 1000 kilometers southwest of Lisbon, would proceed as usual.
As of now, the EU has 28 firefighting planes and four helicopters ready to combat forest fires. More than 560 firefighters from 12 EU member states can be deployed in times of crisis to support national brigades.
The fierce forest fires continue to pose a threat to the central area of Madeira, having already scorched over 5500 hectares. Despite regional governor Miguel Albuquerque's assurance, concerns remain about the impact on the UNESCO World Heritage-designated laurel forest, given the multiple active fronts burning in a tough-to-reach mountainous range.
