The Government of Madeira intends to relocate the residents of Fajã das Galinhas, to the municipality of Câmara de Lobos where it is safe. The President of the Regional Government of Madeira said that considering the site remains isolated following the fire it was a necessary action.
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Miguel Albuquerque provided an update on the status of the fire at the Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service, in Funchal. He said at the press conference:
The situation in Fajã das Galinhas is extremely dangerous, it has not been happening for some time now, and I think we are in a position to find a definitive solution for these families.
He further explained that there are around 36 families and the survey is being carried out. Miguel added:
Basically, we want to relocate the families to a more comfortable area of the parish, where they are not subject to that precarious accessibility.
Relocation Plans for Affected Families
120 people were evacuated from the parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, located in the higher areas of the municipality on 17th August. The flames surrounded the area, making the only access road impassable for about two kilometers along a steep slope.
Currently, there are sixteen families (a total of 42 people) temporarily housed in the Community Center of the Câmara de Lobos Municipal Council. Moreover, four remained on the site and the rest are in the homes of their relatives.
Miguel Albuquerque said that:
We will find, in line with the work being done by the Mayor [of Câmara de Lobos], temporary rehousing for these families and then we will be able, over time and depending on the priority investment, [to] permanently rehouse these families in a more suitable location.
However, he admitted that the process of relocating residents is complex, saying:
It is clear that there is always some complexity here, because these are people, some of whom have their property in that area, who have lived in the area for many years, but I think that at this moment the situation involves a comfortable and definitive relocation of families, those who want to, in another area.
Plan of Municipal Council of Câmara de Lobos
Earlier this week, the president of the Câmara de Lobos Municipal Council, Leonel Silva, said that a group of families from Fajã das Galinhas would no longer return to the area if they were provided with a housing solution.
In an interview on August 20, he said that the Municipal Council already has a plan for the construction of 30 houses budgeted at 7.5 million euros. Yesterday, Livre called for an assessment of responsibility for the Madeira fire.
The rural fire broke out on Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island on August 14th. This morning, on the 11th day, the regional Civil Protection indicated that the fire was under control and that the operatives remained on the ground in rescue operations, controlling some hot spots.
