Wildfire in Madeira Contained After 11 Days

Firefighters have successfully brought under control a significant forest fire on the Portuguese island of Madeira, which has burned for 11 days since August 14, destroying approximately 5,000 hectares of vegetation. The blaze was contained with the help of two Spanish firefighting planes provided by the EU, alongside favorable weather conditions of high humidity and fog. While no injuries or structural damage have been reported, there is significant concern over the environmental impact, including harm to local flora and fauna. Investigations into the cause of the fire, which regional officials suspect may be linked to arson, are underway. Firefighters will remain on alert to prevent any reignitions, as some hot spots remain. The regional government has faced scrutiny regarding the initial response to the fire, prompting calls for a thorough review of firefighting strategies.