Should Machico Cancel Its Traditional Fachos Celebration Amid Ongoing Fires?

ADN Urges Machico City Council to Reconsider Fachos Celebration

The regional coordinator of the ADN - National Democratic Alternative Party has called on the Machico City Council to rethink its decision to hold the traditional Fachos burning scheduled for next weekend, given the ongoing wildfires affecting the West of Madeira.

Miguel Pita, in a press statement, expressed concerns: "We risk having firefighters stationed at the 'Fachos' instead of fighting fires in other parts of the island if active blazes persist."

The ADN reacted with perplexity upon learning about the City Council's decision to maintain the event planned for August 24th, deeming it incomprehensible after a week of devastating fires in the region.

Pita argues, "It would be wiser and more prudent to postpone this event for at least a week, hoping for better weather conditions, as there remains an imminent risk of rekindling in various areas of our Madeira island."

The party emphasizes that it is not against traditional events, but calls for common sense and prudence in light of the suffering endured by those who have witnessed the fires near their homes, which have destroyed natural heritage and endangered lives.

Moreover, the ADN requests consideration for the firefighters who have battled the flames for days and now must be on alert while the public engages in the Fachos festivities, literally igniting fires on the slopes of Machico Valley.

Pita concludes, "This is not the time to take unnecessary risks after witnessing the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest, which seems to have started with another tradition that spread through several locations in the RAM due to a 'firework'."