In a statement, the municipality announces that “immediately, the most debilitated and older animals are being removed,” adding that “preventive measures are prepared, including vehicles and identification of locations where animals can be accommodated if urgent removal is necessary.”
The municipality recalls that, as already informed on Friday, it decided to reinforce the vigilance and operational readiness of its services.
“The Funchal executive expresses solidarity with the populations directly affected by the fires, and has already made available all necessary collaboration to neighboring municipalities,” the statement also reads.
Madeira is being hit by a fire that started on Wednesday morning in a difficult-to-access area in the parish of Serra de Água, in the municipality of Ribeira Brava, later spreading to the neighboring municipality of Câmara de Lobos.
According to an update provided by the Regional Secretary of Health and Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, at 1:00 PM, the fire was active in Encumeada (Ribeira Brava), and in the parishes of Curral das Freiras and Jardim da Serra, in Câmara de Lobos.
Fighting the various active fronts were 54 operatives, supported by 18 vehicles and the helicopter of the Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service, as well as elements of the PSP and the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation.
Around 3:30 PM, the Regional Civil Protection Secretariat announced in a statement that the region will receive 80 members of the Special Force of Firefighters in the coming hours to help combat the fire.
In the note, the authority adds that “the resources on the ground have been reinforced and the forest intervention teams affiliated with the National Republican Guard have been activated,” without specifying the number of resources involved.
