THE MINISTRY of Internal Administration has chosen Ponte de Sor, in the Alentejo, to create a base for helicopters and aeroplanes which combat forest fires.
For operational and practical reasons, it was decided that the base should be located in the centre of Portugal to service the entire country. Experts from the Ministries of Defence and Internal Administration concluded that it would not be viable to construct the base at or next to any of Portugal’s military bases, as there would be heavy construction for two years and an inconvenience to their regular operation.
Ponte de Sor’s Câmara President, João Taveira Pinto, said that he believed it was a positive move and hopes that it will “benefit the region” as well as contribute to the development of the area.
The need for an air base to fight forest fires is of paramount importance to the government. In the past, a base was not necessary as the helicopters and aeroplanes used to fight fires were rented but now the government has acquired its own air force.
The base, which will be under the control of the National Authority of Civil Protection, will have a runway measuring 1.5km, a 4,000sqm hangar and a control tower. The expected investment of the base totals 15 million euros and nearly all of the funds to construct it will come from the European Community. The base is expected to be fully operational in 2009.
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