Urgent Call for Eucalyptus Clearing in São Roque to Prevent Fire Risks
Madeira GuidePolitical party CHEGA urges Funchal City Council to address the fire hazard posed by dense eucalyptus growth in São Roque, as the community faces significant risk.
The political party CHEGA has issued an urgent appeal to the Funchal City Council (CMF) to address a potentially dangerous situation involving a large eucalyptus grove in São Roque, Funchal. This area, located along Caminho Velho da Igreja in the Alegria zone, poses a significant fire risk to nearby homes and residents.
The call for intervention comes after repeated requests from a local property owner, who, due to advanced age and health issues, has been unable to clear the hazardous vegetation. Despite notifying the CMF at the end of 2025, the property owner received little support, managing to clear only a portion of his land.
CHEGA criticized the CMF for its inaction, highlighting the continued threat posed by the unmanaged eucalyptus trees. Carmo Gomes, a leader within CHEGA, noted the inadequacy of bureaucratic responses in the face of urgent civil protection needs. "Fire prevention requires action on the ground, not just paperwork," Gomes stated.
Nelson Costa Ferreira, another CHEGA representative, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stressing that the safety of São Roque's residents should not be compromised by municipal delays. "We demand immediate action from CMF to mitigate the fire hazard before a tragedy occurs," Ferreira insisted.
The situation underscores the broader challenges of fire prevention in Madeira, where rapid urbanization and dense vegetation require proactive management to protect both the natural environment and local communities.
Sources
Madeira Guide
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