“The people identified to date were exclusively tourists,” the president of ICNF, Manuel Filipe, told Lusa, stressing that the offence is punishable, within the scope of a misdemeanour procedure, with fines of between 250 and 500 euros for individuals and between 2,500 and 10,000 for companies.

The official explained that the fines are provided for in regional legislative decree 24/2022/M and are applied to anyone found to be walking on trails that are temporarily or permanently closed.

Manuel Filipe indicated that the Pico do Areeiro-Pico Ruivo, Achada do Teixeira-Pico Ruivo, Pico Ruivo-Encumeada, as well as Encumeada-Jardim da Serra trails and a trail in Paul da Serra are closed.

“For safety reasons, traffic is prohibited,” he warned, mentioning that the Forest Police surveillance in these areas has been increased.

The president of the ICNF did not give a date for the reopening of these trails, which usually experience high demand, but he did say that the institute is working to partially open the Pico do Areeiro trail and the trail between Achada do Teixeira and the Pico Ruivo shelter.

The rural 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 Santana. On Monday, after 13 days, the regional Civil Protection Service indicated that the fire had been “completely extinguished”.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that more than 5,104 hectares of area had been burned.

During the days in which the fire raged, the authorities advised nearly 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and provided public shelters, but many residents returned home.

The fight against the flames was made difficult by the wind and high temperatures, but, according to the Regional Government, there were no reports of injuries or the destruction of homes or essential public infrastructure, although some small agricultural production was affected, in addition to forest areas.

The Judicial Police are investigating the causes of the fire, but Miguel Albuquerque said it was arson.