update

[victor]

centre of funchal being evac,at least 27 houses gone,situation worsened since 6pm as wind has increased,residents in centre have no water,at least 7 fires on island.

mainland who have own probs are sending 35 firemen to help ,Azores offering to help as well

several accidents on motorway due to smoke

[Kaz]

Oh this is terrible Vic, is it near you?

[JoM]

This is awful Vic, hope you're not nearby.

[Workingman]

I read it earlier, Vic.

It really is shocking, especially those started deliberately.

[Suff]

Madeira, Tenerife, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, lots of Southern Europe is burning as temps hit 40c and people have no clue what they are doing with fire in those areas.

At home in France we've now had weeks with virtually no rain and temps in the mid to upper 30's. It's drying everything out and making it like tinder.

Hopefully everyone will be safe but some of these fires are pretty out of control right now.

[victor]

20k away to the West from us as the crow flies --which is not a lot if the wind changes--but there is also fire 5k away to the East ,which is where the wind is coming from

no rain to speak of since Jan ,as Suff said everything is so dry

[tonicha]

Stay safe Vic xx

We're sending over as many as we can, but we have huge fires here too - why oh why do these weirdo people start these things off ever year.

And also, toss out their fag ends, water and glass bottles - they will also start fires

[meriad]

What a worry Vic; I really do hope and pray for a drop in the wind; asking for rain I suspect is a bit much to hope for. But hopefully other countries will send over fire planes / helicopters etc. My heart goes out to the firefighters; it's an exhausting - and sadly losing - battle they are fighting.

And also, toss out their fag ends, water and glass bottles - they will also start fires

Ton, it's the same in SA - 95% of the fires are started because of some idiot throwing their cigarette butt out the window; they just don't think or care. Idiots - the lot of them

[tonicha]

Mainland Portugal is sending over more help to Madeira - but ours are at full stretch here too. Huge fires further up north.

[pederito1]

So sorry to learn this Vic,global warming I presume very much in the news here too. Can only hope you stay safe and hope too for heavy rain. My memories of my first time in Funchal are of a local gent trying to drag me into a brothel (I didn`t go!) also the fabulous flower market and a lovely trip in a vintage open Roller with kids throwing flowers in, no doubt in exchange for coins. On another trip I took the toboggan trip down the mountain with a young lady I met on the ship, held on ropes by two Portuguese hulks who ran at high speed down the steep slopes. Ann that was her name clung fiercely to me the whole way and could not stop talking about it later back on board. My sympathy for all the people affected and for the destruction of the lovely island.