After the fires in Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, Calheta’s residents have said that they have been through the fires of hell.
The upper areas of the Arco and the Paul da Serra were heavily hit. The flames started before midnight and forced people to work alongside the firefighters in a long night and day of despair for some citizens.
The fires were started deliberately, and Pedro Ramos, the Secretary for Health and Civil Protection has asked for strong sentencing of all arsonists.
In 24 hours, firefighters were fighting a fire on four fronts.
Even driving back this evening, there was smoke billowing on the mountains, and a verge alongside the road was alight.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
