The Bureaucratic Burden: Key Reasons Behind Madeira's Wildfire Struggles

The Bureaucratic Burden

The "absurd weight of bureaucracy" is a significant factor contributing to the ongoing challenges in managing the wildfire that has been raging in Madeira for nine days. According to Duarte Caldeira, president of the Center for Studies and Intervention in Civil Protection, there is a lack of clarity regarding the roles of political decision-makers and technical experts in crisis management.

Initial Response Failures

The intervention relies on municipal decisions, which often sideline technical expertise. Caldeira emphasizes that the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection lacks the necessary conditions to proactively deploy resources. He states, "We are facing the absurd weight of bureaucracy."
Miguel Sequeira, a botanist and professor at the University of Madeira, points out that the initial response was inadequate due to a shortage of personnel. With only 150 firefighters deployed, he describes the situation as ridiculous given the fire's scale. He argues that "these firefighters are overexerting themselves to compensate for a failure that is not theirs, but of those who called them too late."

Environmental Catastrophe

Caldeira notes that there is a "cocktail of reasons" explaining the mismanagement of the wildfire. Beyond bureaucratic issues, there is an insufficient assessment of environmental damage. While Miguel Albuquerque, the Regional Government president, claims that the firefighting efforts are successful because there have been no human casualties or significant infrastructure loss, Caldeira warns that "an environmental catastrophe is still a catastrophe" that can have indirect victims.

Inadequate Resources

Sequeira highlights the lack of specialized resources for combating forest fires in Madeira. He expresses concern that the island's unique ecosystems are not adequately protected, stating, "We have the best forest in Portugal guarded by a poor man alone."
The past week has revealed significant gaps in forest surveillance and fire prevention measures.

Air Support and Limitations

Aerial resources are crucial for controlling wildfires, but ground forces are essential for effective suppression. Sequeira notes that "the major issue with aerial resources is that they can only operate in calm conditions, while fires often escalate with wind." Thanks to the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Madeira is now receiving two Canadair planes to assist in firefighting efforts.

Future Preparedness

Looking ahead, Caldeira emphasizes the need for preparation and planning to address soil degradation caused by the fires and to prevent future tragedies. He advocates for a re-evaluation of the Civil Protection Base Law to clarify the authority's roles during emergencies.

A Call for Change

Caldeira also suggests creating an independent multidisciplinary team in Madeira to identify mistakes and improve future fire response strategies. He believes that the focus should not be on blaming individuals but on addressing systemic issues through careful, scientific approaches to fire management. "We don’t need to cut heads to solve problems; we need to confront them wisely," he concludes.