Madeira forest fire threatens UNESCO heritage forest - EU mobilizes help for Portugal
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The European Commission is providing support to Portugal as it confronts a wildfire near Ribeira Brava, Madeira.
After Portugal activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on the evening of August 21, , the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) promptly arranged the deployment of two rescEU firefighting Canadair planes from Spain, which were scheduled to arrive on August 23 in Madeira, according to a post on the European Commission website.
These aircraft will bolster local efforts to combat the fires, delivering critical aerial assistance in difficult conditions. Additionally, the Copernicus emergency satellite system has been activated to supply maps to local authorities.
The Commission is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to deploy further resources if required. This response emphasizes the crucial role of the Civil Protection Mechanism in coordinating a unified European response to natural disasters, demonstrating the EU’s commitment to solidarity with its Member States during emergencies.
In preparation for this year’s fire season, the EU has enhanced its rescEU and European Civil Protection Pool capabilities, now comprising 28 airplanes and 4 helicopters across 10 Member States. Moreover, over 560 firefighters from 12 countries have been prepositioned across Europe, ready to support local fire brigades as needed.
International media report say that as of Tuesday, August 20, the Madeira fire had burned 4,392 hectares of land, with 95 more hectares burning in the previous 24 hours.
The fire has reached the edge of the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest, the largest surviving laurel forest, although the damage so far has been minimal.
Over 100 firefighters are battling the fire on two main fronts, with Madeira being a popular tourist destination during this season.
An additional 45 firefighters and first aid specialists were expected from the Portuguese mainland to join the 76 who had already been deployed since the wildfire began the previous week.
Photo Credit: Eucalyptus forest fire near Churrascaria Cancela on Madeira, Portugal, 3 July 2011. Wikipedia Commons License.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20161023040055/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/56179362
Author: anagh