36 patrols on ground until Tuesday
The Portuguese Army has been called in to reinforce fire prevention patrols while mainland territory is in a Situation of Alert.
In a statement, the army explains it now has 36 patrols on the ground, totalling 80 soldiers a day.
“With the worsening weather conditions and following the declaration of a situation of alert throughout the country, the Portuguese Army has reinforced its existing fire prevention patrols with 12 surveillance and detection teams in the districts of Bragança, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Guarda, Leiria, Santarém and Viseu”, says the statement.
At a press conference in Carnaxide, Oeiras,this afternoon national emergency and civil protection commander André Fernandes called on citizens to collaborate with authorities and avoid risky behaviour for the next few days, “adopting protective measures in the face of possible dangerous situations.
“We’re going to have three very complicated days in terms of rural fires”, he stressed.
“In addition to the 14,000 operatives already on the ground, the maximum alert level (red) implies the reinforcement of the force with 682 more men in some strategic points”.
As of today, there are a number of fires causing concern in various areas, particularly in: Ourém (fire started around 3pm today); Alcabideche, Cascais; Fafe and Aveiro. The fire in Sever de Vouga that started in the early hours of this morning is described now as ‘in resolution’.
To get an idea of the overall picture, website fogos.pt gives a ‘birdseye view’, even though it is not always ‘completely up to date’. ND
