Meteorologists warn of significant increase to risk of rural fires until Wednesday
Portugal is to receive eight firefighting aircraft to fight the fires raging in the north and centre of the country under the European Civil Protection Mechanism, actioned late-morning.
Two heavy duty Canadair (water bomber) planes will be coming from Spain, the rest, two each from France, Greece and Italy.
This reinforcement is designed to help exhausted firefighters get ahead of several blazes raging in blistering temperatures, especially in the Aveiro district, where a number of roads have had to be closed.
The planes from Spain were described at 2pm as already ‘on their way’, while the situation on the ground in several locations continued to complicate (see breaking news).
The Situation of Alert in place until midnight tomorrow may end up being extended. Meteorologists at IPMA (institute of sea and atmosphere) have warned of “a significant increase in the danger of rural fires on the mainland by Wednesday, due to adverse weather conditions such as strong winds and high temperatures”.
Last week, IPMA had already reported that mainland Portugal was expected to record temperatures ‘above the usual’ for the month of September.
According to the institute, temperatures were expected to rise until today, more significantly on the coasts of the north and centre.
Now, in a statement published on its website, IPMA has said that by Wednesday the danger of fires is likely to increase due to the weather. The districts of Porto, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga are already under yellow warning until Tuesday
The yellow warning, the least serious on a scale of three, is issued when there is a risk situation for certain activities due to the meteorological situation.
It remains to be seen whether this warning will be extended into Wednesday. The decision may well depend on how promptly the ‘extra help’ from Europe takes to start making a difference.
With so much water having to be used to fight these fires, the mayor of Aveiro has sent out an appeal to businesses, farmers and residents in general and to reduce their consumption of water to the “absolute minimum”, particularly in the areas where fires are raging.
According to SIC, there is an added danger that due to the amount of ash now in the air, “there is a risk that the Carvoeiro Central Supply Station will be forced to cut off the water supply to the municipality”.
At a press briefing at lunchtime, Civil Protection commander André Fernandes listed a total of 92 ‘situations’ involving authorities, 36 of them active fires. This far, the fires/ firefighting have caused 18 ‘victims’: people who have been hurt, or required medical treatment for exhaustion. Six of the victims this far have been Civil Protection personnel, said Fernandes. Of the injuries nine has been light, two serious – and there was the ‘sudden death’ of firefighter João Silva in Oliveira de Azeméis early this morning, for which both President Marcelo and the government have already conveyed their dismay.
A note on the president’s official website reads: “President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has already spoken on the phone to the widow and the Commander of the Fire Brigade, sending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, expressing his solidarity with close friends and, in particular, with the São Mamede de Infesta Volunteer Fire Brigade.’
On social network X, prime minister Luís Montenegro said that “it was with great dismay” that he learnt of João Silva sudden death.
“On behalf of myself and the government, I leave our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow firefighters”.
MAI has also lamented João Silva’s passing, releasing the following statement:
“At this time of great consternation and mourning, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would like to express its heartfelt words of solidarity and sincere condolences to his family, friends, the São Mamede de Infesta Volunteer Fire Brigade and all the firefighters and civil protection agents who are fighting fires in Portugal at this very moment and always.
“The disappearance of João Manuel dos Santos Silva is yet another national example of someone who gave his life for his neighbour and to whom Portugal owes a heartfelt tribute”, the note concludes.
João Silva was taking a break from fighting the fires in Oliveira de Azeméis when he felt unwell. The 60-year-old was assisted at the scene by an INEM team, but could not be recovered from cardiopulmonary arrest. ND
