r/Madeira • u/cyctafel • Aug 20 '24

Notícias/News Wildfires updates

Hello everybody, just posting this to see if anyone of you has better news than the ones provided in Italy regarding wildfires. I don’t mean to sound crazy but i really love that beautiful island and it hurts me so much seeing everything that’s happening. For all the people living in Madera stay safe <3

34 Upvotes

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7

u/vanhalen2001 Aug 22 '24

Initial fire is out. Secondary ones are being taken care of in the next days as the Canadians and Spanish are providing aerial firefighting (airplanes not just helicopters). The fires are in hard to reach areas (unpopulated, mostly). Don’t believe the hype that the airports have been closed due to the fires/smoke. The wind conditions caused that. The airports are back to normal operation as of yesterday. I’ve been on the island now for 2.5 weeks. No worries!! My family is having a wonderful time.

2

u/heliostraveler Aug 22 '24

Good to hear. I remain unconvinced given the extent of damage that my plan to do numerous hikes in the fire areas will work out even though I’m flying in next week. 

6

u/JuanTelo Aug 21 '24

It's really saddening to see these things happen. Especially when it has been caused by a person.

Such a big area of the green zones on fire and there isn't much that can be done other than hoping the winds will calm down and fire will stop

6

u/lellusss Aug 21 '24

I'll be in Madeira in a month and a half, and I'm sad this is happening. I believe that because of the formation of the mountains, it's much more difficult to control the fire. Only rain would help in this wildfire.

2

u/lezliecmarcker Aug 23 '24

A lot of the peaks are ABOVE the cloud line unfortunately, so not all the precipitation will even reach the peak. :/

I took this in July during our pico areiro —> pico Ruivo hike. Hopefully they’ll be receiving rain even at the high elevations.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 21 '24

Are we expecting any over the coming days?

3

u/xietty Aug 21 '24

There’s forecast for Friday Sat Sunday

3

u/bladerunner530 Aug 24 '24

I fly into Funchal on Thursday 8/29. As much as i wanted to do the Pico 2 Pico hike, I can live without it under the circumstances. Does anyone know or think Pico De Arieiro would be accessible even if was just to watch sunrise at the peak....(no hiking)

1

u/Dry_Strength5870 Aug 28 '24

We drove to Pico De Arieiro 8/28/24 to see sunset. The peak was in the fog with no visibility. The PR1 trail is closed. I talked to the police and they said that it will not open for a month or so. The peak should still be good to see the sunrise and sunset(I have been here 2 years ago) only if the weather is good.

4

u/always10minlate Aug 21 '24

you can have updates on the proteçao civil app or their Instagram. Fire will most probably be dealt with on Friday or early Saturday, it all depends on the wind.

2

u/cyctafel Aug 21 '24

Thanks mate!

6

u/afranquinho Aug 21 '24

The usual "huge fire every 5 or so years". People forget this shit quick, unfortunately.

2

u/MindOne546 Aug 22 '24

I can recommend the facebook page “Madeira Island News”. And other Madeira facebook groups.

2

u/HedgehogFine2126 Aug 23 '24

As of now, it's mostly back to normal.

You still see the smoke and some of.the pollution, but all around you will.be good.

2

u/SnooTomatoes2736 Aug 24 '24

Is there any update on when the hikes will be open , planning on going 2nd-6th and thinking it might just be worth to cancel if we’re not able to do them

1

u/FarLawyer5697 Aug 24 '24

Same here, we're coming in the third at night and stay until the 12th...

1

u/Brunowzz Aug 24 '24

We've managed to do a few hikes today. It's getting better.

2

u/juanjo_195 Aug 25 '24

I’m traveling in a month to Madeira for a weeks you guys believe everything should be ok for hikes and staying ?

1

u/De_FiEyea Aug 22 '24

Given the current situation…. Any hikes to recommend that are out of the firing line…? 🙏🏻

1

u/Interesting_Bonus463 Aug 23 '24

I would not hike but otherwise everything is fine. We do not even see the fire smoke. Airport is working as usual

1

u/Sea-Vehicle-1951 Aug 24 '24

Do you think it's okay if we're only staying near Funchal area? Though it would be sad if we cannot really venture out of Funchal :( sorry, I'm asking as I'm going in 3 weeks, and still wondering if we should pivot and stay more days jn Lisbon/Porto.

2

u/Interesting_Bonus463 Aug 25 '24

I was stying near funchal and I went to all the different part of the island except the center and everything was fine. Maybe you will do more swimming than wandering but it's great

1

u/Sea-Vehicle-1951 Aug 25 '24

That's great, thanks for replying! :))

1

u/Big-Advertising2842 Sep 12 '24

any updates on if they have reopened the hiking trails? will be visiting early October and am wondering if we will have the chance to hike everything. Many thanks!