"In response to Portugal's request for assistance to combat the severe forest fires in Madeira since yesterday [Wednesday] night, we are coordinating the dispatch of two firefighting planes from the EU's strategic reserve in Spain", announced European Commissioner Janez Lenarcic, in a post on the social network X.

"The planes will arrive in Madeira today", said the official.

The information comes a day after the Government announced that it would activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which has a strategic reserve of resources so that two Canadair firefighting aircraft can be sent to help combat the fire that has been burning for eight days in Madeira.

The fire on the island of Madeira broke out on August 14, in the mountains of the municipality of Ribeira Brava, gradually spreading to the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and, via Pico Ruivo, Santana.

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