EU Sends Planes to Combat Persistent Madeira Wildfire
The blaze has burned thousands of hectares and threatened a UNESCO-listed forest, prompting international assistance.
- Two water-bombing planes from Spain have been deployed to Madeira through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
- The wildfire, active for over a week, has consumed nearly 5,000 hectares of vegetation.
- More than 100 firefighters are working on two main fronts, with additional reinforcements from mainland Portugal.
- The fire has reached parts of the Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but significant damage has been avoided.
- Authorities emphasize that residential areas are not currently at risk, though high winds have complicated firefighting efforts.
The Independent 
Reuters 
