The Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) today announced that it will reinforce surveillance at Madeira’s main high points due to the expectation of greater attendance at the hills on Wednesday for observing the solar eclipse.
In a statement, the IFNC notes that Pico do Areeiro and Achada do Teixeira, in the central mountain range, are expected to register high demand from residents and tourists, due to their features and the possibility of “providing broad horizons for observing the astronomical phenomenon”.
The IFNC, a body under the Regional Secretariat of Tourism, Environment and Culture, stresses that, in Madeira, the eclipse will be partial, with the start expected at 18:49, and the maximum occurring at 19:46.
“At Pico do Areeiro, at that moment, it is estimated that about 81.6% of the solar disk will be obscured by the Moon,” the institute says, adding that the phenomenon should end by 20:39.
The Institute of Forests and Conservation of Nature calls on those traveling to the island’s high zones to have “special attention” to safety conditions, respecting the guidelines and rules applicable to natural and protected areas.
“The preservation of the hills is a responsibility of everyone, so the Institute reinforces the appeal that no waste be left on the territory. All garbage produced should be carried by the individuals themselves and deposited in the appropriate places,” it warns.
Nor should any fire be used in forest and natural areas, and visitors should stay in authorised areas and on defined routes, avoiding risky behaviours near escarpments and precipices.
The IFCN also calls for strict compliance with traffic rules, particularly at access to the high areas, where a significant increase in vehicle traffic is expected.
“Therefore, the IFCN recommends that everyone who intends to watch this phenomenon do so in a responsible, safe and environmentally conscious manner, contributing to ensure that the experience can be enjoyed without putting people, natural heritage, and the safety of Madeira’s forested areas at risk,” reads the statement.
On the mainland, the solar eclipse begins at 18:30 and ends at 20:30, with its peak at 19:30.
The only place in the country where it will be possible to observe the Moon completely covering the Sun is in the villages of Rio de Onor and Guadramil, in the municipality of Bragança.
For more than 100 years, Portugal has not witnessed a total solar eclipse.
