"Fires Massacre The Municipal Of Santa Cruz"
Today’s (Saturday) headline in the Diário de Notícias – 1st August, 2009
‘Santa Cruz In Flames – Firefighters pass the day running after fires throughout the area’.
"The fire is a thief", she says almost groaning, a woman of about 60 years, while looking powerlessly at the rise of the voracious flames in the direction of her house, in the sitío de Moinhas da Assomads, Caniço.
During the afternoon she saw the fire in the distance, consuming the the woods on the hillside above. Around about 8pm, the cinders, dragged by the wind in all directions, spread the fires all over the place. One of them had everything it needed to grow and take the flames up the side of a valley, threatening homes at the top. The men of the house tried to prevent the spread of the fire by watering the undergrowth, but the rising temperature from the flames quickly dried out the precautionary measure.
The moment of despair experienced by the inhabitants of Assomada was like that felt by dozens of residents in Santa Cruz yesterday. From Gaula, to Caniço de Baixo, Mâe de Deus, and Tendereira, passing through Assomada and Reis Magos, gives an idea of some of the main areas affected, where the "people were massacred" by the intense and suffocating stench of hundreds of square metres of burning bush.
Firefighters from Santa Cruz, Funchal, Machico, and Ribeira Brava were in attendance, as well as the Madeira Volunteers, responding to dozens of calls for help from people with fire approaching their homes. At the close of the newspaper deadline last night, it was said that no houses were damaged, but the firefighters were still out there in considerable numbers spread throughout the area. Meanwhile the fire services from Câmara de Lobos, Santana and Machico also had forest fires or similar to deal with in their own jurisdictions.
‘UNCONTROLLED FIRE IN GAULA – HOMES THREATENED‘
A fire on several fronts in Gaula is causing the panic in the local population. Dozens of homes are threatened. People who are closer to the fire are worried about their property. The fire started around five am this morning at sítio da Lombada, and everything leads to believe it has been a caused through clearing land by burning.
However, the strong wind that is felt at the site caused several outbreaks of fire which is currently uncontrollable.
Diário de Notícias, 12.30pm Friday 31st July 2009
See the video from Tobi
Thanks to Sue and Jon for the photos, and Tobi for the main one and video.
good morning if some could let me know if this is any where near rua do salao for my mother lives in the area and unable to reach here
1We are so scared because our mom can’t get ahold of anyone. Our Grandma lives ther and our cousins and Aunt are there visiting too.
2We are about 10 KMs down the road in Garajau and it is a bit like Pompei with the ashes snowing – spoke to friends in the lower part of Gaula this morning and they were OK. It seems to be in the narrow part higher up – if that is of any help to anyone. If you have any contact numbers we can try for you here – will see if I can find out where rua do salao is.
3Sue, I have been in contact w/my family. All is well. Thank you so much. I am very grateful it amazing for someone to offer to help someone that don’t even know. That is very admirable of you. Thank you. Sincerely Luisa
4Fires have just started to break out in the Atalaia area of caniço, the wind seems to have swung round a little and blowing the smoke downwards.
Not seen one fire truck while ive been out so not sure where they all are, plenty of people along the roads sides watching.
I have posted this twice as the blog is getting busy , and if different sections.
5Here are the photos of the fires as promised.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobiinmadeira/sets/72157621906293186
6Changing the subject, i believe the Machico Gastronomic Festival starts today for the next 10 days. Its one of the best im madeira in my opinion.
7Hi, Luisa,
So glad you made contact with your family – my husband is on clean-up detail tomorrow morning on the terrace – it is only ash but does it make a mess. Hopefully Tobi’s predictions of approaching Canico are not too bad. Am having a party tomorrow evening so hopefully no one comes in white clothes!
Sue
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