PORTUGUESE Islanders have expressed their concern for friends and family in Madeira where a wildfire continues to burn.
Hundreds of firefighters have been tackling the blaze, which broke out in the Ribeira Brava region last Wednesday.
By the end of last week, at least 160 people had been evacuated from affected areas, while Madeira Airport has also seen a number of flights cancelled or delayed.
Manuel Benedito, an Islander who is from Madeira, said he had friends and family living in Ribeira Brava.
He explained that the area they are in has not yet been affected, but added: “God knows what can happen.
“I spoke to a few members of my family and they are worried that if the wind changes, it might come down to where they are.
“We hope the firefighters can control it but, due to the landscape, some areas are hard to reach.”
Meanwhile, Coral Da Silva, whose husband is from Madeira, told the JEP that they were currently visiting family in the Curral das Freiras region.
She described their location as “relatively safe”, but also said there had been “scary moments” watching the fire spread from a distance.
“With the wind, it’s really hard to tell,” she explained.
“The heat is transferring and creating little pockets of fire nearer the houses.”
She said the emergency response had been “really good” but also pointed out that there were risks of landslides and debris as a result of the blaze.
Daniel Freitas said the local Portuguese community was concerned about those affected.
“We are worried that it [the fire] will come from the mountains to the city, where the houses are.”
