The forest fire in Curral das Freiras, which had been considered under control late yesterday afternoon but reignited today, is currently “out of control,” said the head of civil protection in statements to RTP-Madeira.

As can be seen from the images captured on site by photojournalist Hélder Santos, the fire is descending the slope, but it is in a difficult-to-access location.

The mayor of Câmara de Lobos, Leonel Silva, says that the fire progressed rapidly. The fire is not near homes, but reinforcements were requested for prevention, the mayor revealed.

The rural fire that broke out in Madeira on Wednesday, in the mountains of Ribeira Brava, spreading the next day to the neighboring municipality of Câmara de Lobos, and, already at the weekend, to the municipality of Ponta do Sol, through Paul da Serra, still had two fronts at 7 pm today: those of Encumeada (Ribeira Brava) and Paul da Serra (Ponta do Sol).