The Government of Madeira has announced an enhancement to rural firefighting efforts with the operationalization of a second aerial resource. This is a light helicopter that will be available between October 1 and November 30.
The new helicopter has an operational autonomy of 90 minutes and can transport seven people, including the pilot. Its primary mission will be the initial attack on rural fires.
The Regional Secretary of Health and Civil Protection, Micaela Fonseca de Freitas, emphasized the importance of this measure, noting that the special rural fire fighting system concludes on November 30 and that the region has a history of fires in October. The official added that this availability of a second aerial resource until the end of November is of great interest to the region, also serving as a test for the simultaneous operation of two aerial resources, paving the way for aerial resources to arrive earlier next year.
