The Portugal forest fire-big enough to be seen from space-has already sparked support around the globe.
Advertisement
Earlier on Tuesday, President of the Regional Government of Madeira Miguel Albuquerque said two firefighters were injured and needed hospital assistance.
The fires have destroyed homes, shut major motorways for hours and forced the evacuation of several villages this week, mostly in the north of Portugal.
More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the Portuguese Island of Madeiras following a wildfire which has stretched into its third day. A total of 186 wildfires were counted Wednesday on Portugal’s mainland alone and on Thursday, 12 were burning out of control.
British vacationer Sophie Sulehria, who arrived in the midst of the fire, described to the BBC abandoning her taxi from the airport as traffic in Funchal was at a standstill.
Fanned by unpredictable, high winds on the mountainous island amid unusually hot, dry weather, the blazes have created apocalyptic scenes, disrupted flights and left residents fearful for their homes.
The blaze, fuelled by a summer heatwave and strong winds, has destroyed around 40 homes including a five-star hotel in the hills above the city.
On Tuesday a 24-year-old man was arrested accused of starting a fire in the mountains of São Roque outside Funchal.
Firefighter department of the fire service reports it become nearly impossible to quench the fire quickly and especially on time because of the steep hills and dense woodland of Madeira terrain.
Albuquerque said that most of those needing treatment had inhaled smoke and only two were severely hurt, with burns.
Tourism is the mainstay of Madeira’s economy.
Meanwhile several global flights were cancelled after winds blew a large quantity of ash across Funchal airport and a major shopping centre was closed for the day.
A Funchal animal shelter said it released 120 cats and dogs on Tuesday as flames bore down on its premises.
Advertisement
The BBC reported lower temperatures expected on Wednesday were expected to ease the situation.
