Fire began Wednesday early afternoon
The fire that hit the northern municipality of Sabrosa (Vila Real district) yesterday, forcing the evacuation of various homes, entered the resolution phase shortly before 10am today, with 289 operators, 93 vehicles and a heavy helicopter remaining on site.
In a briefing held at 8:00 am, Douro sub-regional commander Miguel Fonseca said that the fire now has only one active front, which is still worrying due to difficult access, but that 90% of its perimeter is now under control.
Mayor of Sabrosa, Helena Lapa, said that, according to a preliminary estimate, the area burned in this fire is around 600 hectares of pine forest, scrubland, and vineyards.
Today’s good news follows a night that “went well”, she explained. “The temperature dropped significantly and humidity increased”, firefighters “managed to seal off almost all the perimeters except one. Now with aerial means I think that situation will be resolved”, she added, albeit pointing out the ever-present danger of ‘reignitions’ – something that can change the course of progress so quickly if wind is involved.
This fire came very close to houses (the village of Souto Maior particularly) but none suffered damage.
As the mayor pointed out, “investment in creating fuel management strips” certainly in this case appears to have helped.
Source: LUSA
