“It’s a terrible situation. It would be an immense sadness if this destroys the Laurissilva forest because it is indeed a precious treasure. People need to understand that a large part of Madeira’s economy and viability exists because of this forest,” she noted this afternoon while trying to assess the fire situation.
The professor emphasized that this is a completely unique heritage that “no one else has of this size” and vital for the archipelago’s future.
Helena Freitas highlighted that the forest, which occupies about 20% of the territory, around 15,000 hectares, ensures humidity on the island of Madeira.
“When we think about the levadas and visits to Madeira, much of the tourism also results from this identity, this richness, and this singular character that the island has,” she underlined.
The professor, coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity and Conservation for Development, has doubts about whether it will be possible to recover from the damage caused by the fire.
“I don’t even know if we can talk about a recoverable situation, but it is indeed a very singular heritage. We’re talking about a vascular and exuberant flora, with over a thousand species, of which about 20% are completely exclusive to Madeira Island,” she described.
Helena Freitas also highlights the importance of the forest in sustaining erosion in a very mountainous terrain, remembering that productive capacity also depends on the soils. “There’s nothing that isn’t affected by the loss of biodiversity,” she emphasized.
The specialist warned of the need for commitment to forest conservation and protection and, if necessary, to focus on restoration, recalling that the Government approved the European law in this area and that this could be a first action.
“If we place Laurissilva at the first level of intervention and protection, I would be very satisfied, as I consider it would be of the utmost importance,” she argued.
Madeira is being hit by a large fire that broke out Wednesday morning in Serra de Água, Ribeira Brava municipality, in an area of difficult access, and then spread to the neighboring municipality of Câmara de Lobos.
At least 160 people were evacuated from their homes at different times due to the fire in the two municipalities, a source from the Regional Secretariat of Health and Civil Protection told Lusa today.
According to the latest assessment released by the Regional Civil Protection Service at 08:30 AM, three fronts were active in the areas of Curral das Freiras and Fajã das Galinhas, in Câmara de Lobos municipality, and in Serra de Água, Ribeira Brava. The next official update will be at 7:00 PM, but local officials on the ground explained that the situation continues to cause concern, with flames approaching urban areas and forcing some people to evacuate.
The flames are being fought by 120 operatives from all fire departments in the region, supported by 43 vehicles and the archipelago’s aerial means. Starting today, the region also counts on the support of 76 members of the joint force of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority.
The Regional Emergency Plan for Civil Protection of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (PREPCRAM) was activated to respond “to the gravity of the situation experienced.”
