Madeira adds five new forest firefighters to ranks

The Institute for Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) in Madeira has welcomed five new Sapadores Florestais, who are beginning a demanding training programme to join the region's specialised forestry teams. Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture Eduardo Jesus received the new recruits and stressed their role in protecting forests, preventing rural fires and safeguarding the population. The Sapador Florestal special career, created in Madeira in 2018, was the first of its kind in Portugal and remains a key part of the region's forest prevention, surveillance and management strategy.