A fire situation report was released at 20:00, confirming that the fire that started on Wednesday the 14th of August in the municipality of Ribeira Brava, is still active, relentless, and has spread to the parish of Jardim da Serra, in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, and continues to advance towards Curral das Freiras.
In the municipality of Ribeira Brava (Trompica and Lugar da Serra), an active firefront remains outside the residential area. This front is in an area inaccessible to land resources and, at the moment, is considered non-life threatening. A firefighting vehicle and 3 operatives from the Rural Fire Fighting Team (ECIR), assigned to the Mixed Firefighters of Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, remain at the site.
In Jardim da Serra, two active fronts remain, one oriented south, towards a residential area, and the other oriented north, which is moving towards Vereda da Encumeada.
Due to the complexity of the situation, the number of vehicles and operatives on site was reinforced, now with 8 firefighting means and 26 operatives from the Câmara de Lobos Volunteer Firefighters, Funchal Sappers Fire Company, and Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters.
It should be noted that fighting this fire has been particularly difficult as the flames are moving to inaccessible areas. However, the teams are working hard to control the situation.
IFCN and PSP officers are remaining at the scene.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
