European Commission says it can mobilize more resources for the fire in Madeira

The European Commission announced today that it is available to mobilize additional resources to help combat the fire in Madeira in light of the “difficult conditions”.
The executive of the European Union stated, in a communiqué, that it is “closely monitoring the situation” and that it is “prepared to send additional resources, if necessary.”
“The European Commission is mobilizing support for Portugal in the fight against a forest fire near Ribeira Brava, in Madeira. […] The Copernicus satellite emergency system has also been activated to provide maps to local authorities,” the institution said in the communiqué.
This morning, it was announced that the two Canadair firefighting planes requested by the Portuguese Government from the EU, within the framework of the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, arrive today in Madeira.
“Following the activation by Portugal of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism yesterday [Wednesday] night, the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre immediately coordinated the dispatch of two Canadair firefighting planes from rescEU [EU’s strategic reserve] that will leave today from Spain to Madeira,” the institution said in the press release, observing that “the aircraft will assist local authorities in fighting the fires, providing essential air support in difficult conditions.”
In total, the EU’s strategic reserve for the fire season consists of 28 planes and four helicopters stationed in 10 member states, with more than 560 firefighters from 12 countries pre-positioned across Europe.
The information comes a day after the Portuguese Government announced that it would activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism, within which there is a strategic reserve of resources, so that two Canadair firefighting planes can be sent to help combat the fire that has been burning for eight days in Madeira.
The fire on the island of Madeira broke out on August 14 in the mountains of the municipality of Ribeira Brava, progressively spreading to the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol and, through Pico Ruivo, to Santana.
The authorities advised nearly 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and provided public accommodation facilities, but many residents have already returned, except for those in Fajã das Galinhas, in Câmara de Lobos.
The fight against the flames has been hampered by wind and high temperatures, but there are no reports of destruction of houses or essential infrastructure.
Some firefighters received assistance for exhaustion or minor injuries, with no other injuries reported.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that more than 4,930 hectares of area have burned.
The Judicial Police are investigating the causes of the fire, but the president of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, said it was arson.