Awareness campaign carried out in July and August in Albufeira
In an effort to make the borough safer and “more resilient,” Albufeira’s municipal council carried out an extensive awareness campaign during July and August focused on preventing wildfires and addressing the dangers posed by open wells.
Held at several local markets, the campaign targeted both vendors and clients.
“We are building a resilient city, but we need everyone’s participation to achieve this goal,” Albufeira mayor José Carlos Rolo says in a statement to the press.
One of the foundations of the campaign was educating residents about the preventive measures they can take to protect homes in rural areas, as well as the legal requirements for maintaining safe environments around residences, including clearing surrounding vegetation, properly storing firewood, and being extra careful when carrying out controlled burns. The risks associated with operating forest machinery during high fire-risk periods were also addressed.
Informational leaflets were handed out during the campaign, advising residents to alert authorities if they noticed potential fire hazards such as the accumulation of dry brush near homes or people engaging in risky or suspicious behaviour.
Another critical issue raised was the dangers posed by unprotected wells. The campaign reminded property owners of their legal obligation to secure wells, fissures, and other hazardous openings to prevent potentially fatal accidents involving both people and animals.
Citing Decree-Law No. 226-A/2007, the municipal council warns that “owners of natural water resources—including wells, boreholes, mines, ponds, dams, and septic tanks—are required to obtain the necessary permits from the relevant authorities.” The campaign reinforced the importance of compliance with these regulations to prevent tragic incidents.
To ensure residents are well-prepared for emergencies, the campaign also distributed key contact information for essential services. In case of an emergency, residents are urged to call 112, the national emergency number, or contact local services such as the Municipal Civil Protection Service (289 599 503 or 968 339 212), GNR Police (289 590 790) and the Albufeira Volunteer Fire Department (289 586 333).
