The municipal council of Sabugal is calling on the government to declare a state of calamity in the municipality to help residents most affected by the fires.
The decision was made at a council meeting on Wednesday, where officials also proposed starting a survey to assess damage and losses in the most affected parishes. This will help define how aid will be provided to residents and businesses, the municipality said in a statement.
The fire, which began on August 15 in Aldeia de Santo António, spread to nearby municipalities including Almeida, Guarda, and Penamacor before being brought under control. It was officially declared in the resolution phase at 2am, according to the Beiras and Serra da Estrela Civil Protection Command.
As of Wednesday, 367 firefighters supported by 86 vehicles were still on the ground, monitoring hot spots and consolidating containment efforts.
The fire started in Aldeia de Santo António, near the centre of the municipality, and the alert was given at 2.41pm, according to the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
On Wednesday, the municipality began surveying the damage and losses in the most affected parishes.
“A multidisciplinary team from the municipality has been set up which, in liaison with the parish presidents, is checking the most urgent needs, both human and in terms of animal welfare,” announced the local council.
Municipal technicians are also working on “identifying and framing” the burnt areas, with the aim of “supporting and implementing measures to recover/minimise the damage, in conjunction with the measures that the government may decree”.
Source: LUSA
