PJ criminal police have arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of starting several forest fires in the Portimão area earlier this August.
The fires broke out on August 18 and 26 in Casais (in the municipality of Monchique), Vale da Ribeira, Arão and Canafachal, with two of the blazes igniting near the Algarve International Racetrack, and another in Bensafrim, in the municipality of Lagos.
According to investigators, the man set the fires using matches in areas of dry grass, brush and small trees. The fires were set during the hottest period of the afternoon, between 2.30pm and 4pm, when temperatures are high and humidity is low – conditions that increase the risk of rapid spread. Authorities say that swift alerts from local residents and the quick intervention of firefighters prevented more serious damage.
Police add that the suspect used a motorcycle belonging to a family member to move quickly between locations and leave the scenes without being noticed.
The man’s motive for setting the fires is still unknown. According to PJ police, he has no prior criminal record for similar crimes and will now appear before a judge, who will decide on further legal measures. The case is being handled by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Portimão.
The arrest was made with the support of the Southern Task Force for the Reduction of Rural Ignitions, which includes PJ and GNR police and Portugal’s nature and forest conservation institute (ICNF).
