The major wildfire of August 2024

A fire that began in Ribeira Brava spread to Ponta do Sol and the Central Mountain Massif, affecting about 5,000 hectares.

Firefighting continued for eleven days amid heat, strong winds and low humidity. Resources came from Madeira, the Azores, mainland Portugal and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism; despite the vast area affected, there were no deaths, homes lost or essential infrastructure destroyed.