Portugal has launched a new fire prevention campaign as wildfires continue to ravage the island of Madeira. The campaign aims to reduce the number of fires through increased awareness and community involvement, while firefighters battle the worst wildfire the country has seen since 2017.
The Madeira Wildfire Crisis
Firefighters on the Portuguese island of Madeira are currently battling a wildfire that has been raging for over a week. The fire has already consumed 4,400 hectares (10,872 acres) of vegetation and threatens a UNESCO-listed forest. The blaze has two active fronts: one in the coastal highlands of Ponta do Sol and another in the central mountain range, including the archipelago’s highest mountain, Pico Ruivo. Despite the severity, authorities emphasize that the fire is not affecting people or homes.
Reinforcements and Safety Measures
To combat the wildfire, Portugal’s emergency and civil protection service has sent an additional 60 firefighters to the island, supplementing the 76 firefighters deployed earlier. The neighboring Azores archipelago has also contributed firefighting teams. Regional government chief Miguel Albuquerque has urged the public to remain calm, stating, “The situation is safe, and we are doing what we have to do.”
New Fire Prevention Campaign
In response to the ongoing wildfire crisis, Portugal has launched a new fire prevention campaign that will run until 2026. Tiago Oliveira, president of the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF), explained that the campaign aims to build on the success of previous initiatives. Since 2017, the number of forest fires in Portugal has decreased by more than half, thanks to increased awareness and preventive measures.
The new campaign will involve personalized door-to-door contact and educational initiatives in schools, mobilizing around half a million pupils over the next five years. Oliveira emphasized the importance of community involvement in reducing the number of fires, stating, “The idea behind ‘Portugal calls to you’ was to urge everyone to work together to reduce the number of fires.”
The Broader European Context
Last year, wildfires across Europe destroyed about 8,400 square kilometers of land, disrupting water supplies, damaging infrastructure, and impacting local economies. Oliveira believes that Europe needs a coordinated mechanism for wildfire management, similar to models used in Canada and the United States. He also highlighted the role of policies like the Common Agricultural Policy in better managing forests and reducing fire risks.
Conclusion
As Portugal continues to battle the devastating wildfire on Madeira, the new fire prevention campaign offers a glimmer of hope for the future. By involving communities and focusing on education, the country aims to further reduce the number of wildfires and mitigate their impact on people and the environment.
