What is the thick brown cloud coming from the MonChique and hanging over Ferragudo. We were at the beach and a small rain of ashes came down. Is there another fire in the MonChiquw? Does anybody know? I hope not!

Lets hope it's not but if it has kicked off the authorities are (so they say) better prepared than last year!

We can smell fire and our terras is covered with small pieces of black ashes. We have our doors closed and still wander what is going on.

Sad to say there were a couple of fires in the hills last Wednesday (I was at a bombeiros fundraising event and all of the firemen were otherwise occupied). I also saw the fire helicopter in action this afternoon.

We are very worried about the nature of the MonChique and all the people that live there. We drove from Ferragudo to Lagos today and we could see the brown cloud getting thicker. We didn't have the nerve to drive that direction.

oh lord,Dutchie!
Tell us it isnt true?
Not after last years devastation
Sincerely hope it wont be too bad....those terribly high temps.wont help will they......
Know I shouldnt say this(specially for those on hols there)..but a good down pour of rain would be the solution wouldnt it...help put fires out and cool everyone down....
pray that all will be well for you..ellie

I flew over Monchique tonight as smoke poured from the mountains....not a fire engine in sight or a helicopter...just residents wondering around as it burnt ...quite disgusting isnt it....but this is Portugal...I love the place but Oh so sad that the Portruguese just dont give a dam...and the beaurocracy marches on....I think Im leaving soon....cant take much more...we are planning to go where people car about life ..green or otherwise, dont condem animals to death ..etc etc...bye bye...Algarve..you took 3 years of my life ...not blaming anybody ...just not the culture ??? I'm looking for...

this makes me very sad, I wished I could do more about it. I am so sorry that you feel like this. I also love this place and I hope I don't have to say the same words in 3 years. I am sorry Elly, but it is true. I wished it wasn't. A short while ago we have been to the MonChique and I was so happy to seen all the fresh young graan covering the black of the fire of last year. I am also worried sic now.

green and not graan, of course

poor Dutchie..I understand how you are feeling and share your sadness ....devastating news for all of us who love Algarve...
lets pray it doesnt spread .....and that no one is harmed
wish you well..nite nite ..elliex

thanks Elly. Driving down from Ferragudo to Carvoeiro I see the brown cloud spread towards Carvoerio, although it seems to be less thick. This morning at the terras it didn't smell as strong as yesterday, so I hope that is a good sign.

The guest that flew over monchique maybe did not see them but there
were yesterday over 50 firefighters from 3 different corpses with approx. 13 tankers and 2 helicopters with waterbags.
So the people do give a damn !!!!! Unfortunately it is more important for prestige projects such as lots of new football stadiums never being used again than proper equipment to fight these fires deliberately started by some weerd idiots !!
Believe me, the goodwill is there, The means are not !!!

good to hear this! I couldn't imagine that people didn't care.

Thanks for keeping us up with the news Dutchie...and glad to hear its more hopeful!
Well said Judge ..that sure is good to hear that..and you are so right about having the will but not the means!! The situation doesnt change much does it?
Money should be spent on the absolutely essential services as the Bombieros ..they should not have to rely on fundraising all the time for appliances/equipment! It makes me so b----y angry
Bless all those who have to work in these grim situations!
Footnote:two young firemen died in London fire last week...they warranted just couple lines in the middle of daily paper!
Who stole the headlines? Footie coach Sven& his girlfriend!!

these things make me also angry, what is happening to this world...