The Madeiran authorities said they were completely unaware of any attempt by Spain to help with the fires. It was alleged that the Spanish authorities were sending two Canadair planes to support our firefighters.
Sources contacted by JM guarantee that both the central government and the Autonomous Region have not requested external support and that the information being conveyed lacks official confirmation.
So far, according to the same sources, the Regional Government has not received any type of confirmation of the shipment of air resources to the Region.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the Secretary of State itself confirmed that so far no request has been made in this regard.
Even so, since the beginning of the firefighting in Madeira, there has been an exchange of information between the SRPC and ANEPC to evaluate the best solutions.
However, at 19:00 last night, a news article confirmed that Madeira had requested European help and that two Canadair planes would arrive in the region today (Thursday 22nd August). Eight days after the original fire ignition.
Further confirmation stated that the two Canadair planes are expected to arrive in the region this Thursday morning and, if the weather conditions allow, they will start operating this afternoon.
According to António Nunes, the fire, at the moment, has two active fire fronts, and the situation in Pico Ruivo is the most worrying at this time.
Since August 14, a large fire has been uninterruptedly breaking out in the Region. It started in the mountains of Ribeira Brava and has already crossed the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and Santana.
