The Government of Madeira (PSD) has already committed around 500 thousand euros to building a firebreak strip in a forested area along Caminho dos Pretos, in the upper parts of Funchal. The main objectives of the firebreak strip are to produce a buffer zone of low-combustibility vegetation, lessen the population's susceptibility to forest fires, and make the work of the fire brigades easier in the area.

As mentioned by Miguel Albuquerque, “It is a very large area. We have around 648 hectares in this area. We are concluding an intervention that will mean that almost 50 percent of this area will be intervened, both on public and private lands”. Miguel Albuquerque clarified that in order to ensure increased safety and more efficient firefighting efforts in the event of a fire, a 1,500 cubic metre water tank was constructed upstream and 25 fire hydrants were placed throughout the area every 500 metres along the road, spanning a distance of 10.5 kilometres.

“On the other hand, around 40 kilometres of forest paths are already being built in this area”, he said, indicating that, after cleaning, an ecological park will be created in the central area of ​​Caminho dos Pretos, with a recreation and leisure area. Miguel Albuquerque has also advised the population to clean up their land before the arrival of the very hot summer days.