“At this moment, all fire outbreaks are in the aftermath and active surveillance phase, in the municipalities of Calheta, Ribeira Brava, Câmara de Lobos [west zone] and Porto Moniz [north coast]”, says Civil Protection in a statement issued around 11:00.

There are 55 firefighters from all corporations on the island of Madeira on the ground, with the support of a further 45 professionals from the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation, GNR, PSP and Armed Forces, assisted by 14 firefighting vehicles and 20 firefighting vehicles.

“The Armed Forces and the GNR continue to reinforce surveillance and patrolling actions in the south and west of Madeira”, says Civil Protection.

According to the Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service, since October 4th, several fires have been recorded in the municipalities of Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Câmara de Lobos and Calheta, all located in the west of the island, and also in the municipality of Porto Moniz, on the north coast.

The most devastating fire broke out in the parish of Prazeres, in Calheta, on Wednesday, and then spread to the neighboring municipality of Porto Moniz.