The coordination of firefighting operations that ravaged Madeira for 13 days has intensified the tension between firefighters and the Civil Protection. In performance terms the centralised management deserved criticism on the ground, resurfacing old divergences such as the payment of support to volunteers or the cut in the allowances of…
Posts published in “Ambiente”
The residents of Fajã das Galinhas understand the need to be permanently relocated for safety reasons, a decision taken after the fire in Madeira, but while some feel relieved, others regret leaving a life behind. José Paulo Rodrigues is one of the 40 people who are still housed at the…
Notices and tapes telling people of the closure of the pedestrian route of Vereda do Areeiro are being ignored by tourists, who simply step over the barriers in their determination to do as they please. A video sent to the JM head office shows several people ignoring a barrier placed…
On the sidelines of the solemn session commemorating the 280th anniversary of the municipality of São Vicente, the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque made it clear that he will not fire the Regional Secretary of Health and Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos. When asked by journalists about this hypothesis,…
Due to the recent volcanic activity in Iceland, it is expected that between tomorrow and Tuesday the air surrounding the mountainous regions of Madeira, above 1,500 metres, will contain high levels of sulfur dioxide. It should be noted that this gas, in excess, can cause anything from eye, nose, and…
From the 14th to the 22nd of August, the helicopter crews carried out 327 water bombings. In addition, “the teams have always been on the ground and have done everything to contain the flames, protect the population, their property, and our heritage.” Said a statement by the Civil Protection. During…
The President of the Regional Government believes that the region’s firefighting strategy has been a “success.” Speaking to JM, he considers that the opposition is “trying to find flaws” that do not exist, stressing that “fires cannot be put out on the internet.” Concluding, he said: “No one is dead…
The Municipality of Machico, in Madeira, will maintain the traditional Fechos Festival, which will be lit on Saturday night, states the Mayor, Ricardo Franco, confirming that all safety conditions are met. “The tradition of the torches is a secular event and this year will be no exception. The event will…
The two Canadair planes sent by Spain set to work quickly yesterday afternoon. The initial reconnaissance flights were first sighted at 17:09 at Pico do Areeiro, where a single aircraft was seen circling Pico do Gato, where the flames are intense, and shortly afterward, the second aircraft was seen approaching…
According to the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds – SPEA, it will take decades for the island’s nature to recover from the fires. Thus, SPEA warns that the fires are “endangering the world’s only nesting colony of Madeiran Petrel. For this endangered seabird, the fire happened at the…
The ADN party has issued a statement proposing that a 20-year ban on construction be decreed in the burned areas. The party understands that this would protect those areas and allow their natural reestablishment. “This proposal arises from the urgent need to ensure environmental recovery, prevent future disasters, and ensure…
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…
The access road to Pico do Areeiro has already been closed, due to the evolution of the fire that has raged over Fajã dos Cardos. According to CNN and RTP, circulation on the road is prohibited, as the flames have evolved upwards, thus reaching the high areas. The wind has…
Recalling that “the municipalities of Ribeira Brava and Câmara de Lobos have faced great challenges caused by the fires that have ravaged the Region, devastating vast forest areas and endangering the populations and their property, Public Security Police (PSP), has issued a statement confirming that it has “committed numerous human…
The President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira defends the need for explanations from the Regional Government in Parliament about the fires. The statement by José Manuel Rodrigues was made this afternoon and confirms a position that diverges from what has been the official speech of the President of Madeira…