Strengthening the fire detection system and studying the replacement of the current helicopter with another with a higher capacity or even the acquisition of a second aerial means are the possibilities put on the table by the President of the Regional Government.
“We have to improve the detection system, hence the use of drones. Then, depending on costs, we either increase capacity or see if we can use more air assets. It all depends on the costs,” said Miguel Albuquerque.”
The President was expanding on his statements made last week, during the fires that devastated the municipalities of Calheta and Porto Moniz, and consumed large areas of vegetation in Câmara de Lobos and Ribeira Brava.
“We have to study the issue. We need to have drones with sensors, to be used at night. We want to develop a technology that allows fires set at night to be detected by drones,” said the Madeiran Chief Executive, explaining that this solution can also be found with the contribution of ARDITI.
Regarding the possibility of acquiring a new helicopter to fight the fires, Miguel Albuquerque indicated that there are two hypotheses that still need to be studied.
“Either we reinforce it with another air asset – but for this, it is important that the Republic assume this cost, as we are already spending 2.5 million euros per year on the current model – or we have an air asset with greater intervention capacity, which also has increased costs,” he explained.
Concluding, the President said, “the truth is that the helicopter is vital for detecting and extinguishing fires and carrying out search and rescue missions.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
