A LARGE area of the Sintra-Cascais National Park was devastated by a fire yesterday, (Thursday).
The fire started at around 11am in the Pernigem area and soon fire spread quickly towards Fontanelas, Couveia and close to Morelinhos, seven kilometres from where it originated.
A special fire fighting team, the Grupo de Análise e Uso do Fogo from the Direcção Geral de Florestas, the forest management organisation, tried to stop the fire reaching Morelinhos by creating a large barrier but to no avail.
Intense flames and strong winds caused small fires to ignite inside the town but these were quickly put out before any harm was done.
In total, 463 fire fighters were present around the affected areas to combat the flames, evacuate people from the homes in danger and avoid the spread of the fire to the Serra de Sintra.
There were also 128 vehicles, one helicopter and all four heavy aero tank planes which are available to the country.
Due to the alarming nature of the fire, which by 5pm had five active fronts, several people went to view the fire fighting efforts including Fernando Seara, President of Sintra Câmara, Ascenso Simões, Secretary of State for Civil Protection and General Arnaldo Cruz, President of the National Authority of Civil Protection.
At 8pm, the fire was finally declared put out by the authorities, which were led by Elísio Oliveira, District Commander of emergency operations in Lisbon and Gil Martins, National Commander of emergency operations.
