Wildfires burn over 6% of Portugal’s Madeira island in 1 week

Lisbon: A forest fire on the southern coast of Portugal’s island of Madeira has scorched more than 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) of land, or 6.4% of the island’s total area, over the past week.

The fire, which began on Aug. 14, remains uncontrolled and is causing significant concern in the southern coastal areas of Camara de Lobos and Ponta do Sol, as well as in the mountainous Pico Ruivo region.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that the fire has affected more than 5,000 hectares on the island so far.

The Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) has faced strong criticism from unions and opposition parties for its handling of the situation. In response, the agency has deployed a 60-member special unit to assist in firefighting efforts.

More than 400 firefighters, 120 forest police, 200 civil protection personnel, 40 vehicles, and one aircraft are currently involved in combating the blaze, Portuguese media reported.

Miguel Albuquerque, president of the regional government of Madeira, said the fire is burning in hard-to-reach areas outside residential zones. “There is no threat to the population, homes, or infrastructure. The intervention so far has been appropriate,” Albuquerque said.

Most of the visitors to the popular tourist island have evacuated due to the ongoing fire.