Portugal’s prime minister, Luís Montenegro, urged citizens on Monday to not let down their guard against wildfires, warning that high temperatures and dry conditions continue to pose a serious threat.
Speaking to journalists on Monday (September 15) after a ceremony in Sernancelhe supporting farmers affected by last month’s devastating fires, Montenegro stressed the importance of vigilance. “I want to warn the country not to let our guard down, so that in the coming weeks we can act responsibly and respectfully in accordance with the guidelines that the authorities may issue,” he said.
“We still face the possibility of further adverse weather conditions and a combination of factors that could increase and raise the level of risk” of fire, Montenegro warned.
The PM also urged the public to contribute to prevention efforts to avoid a repeat of the major fires that occurred in August.
During the ceremony, Montenegro acknowledged the seeming contradiction of supporting recovery efforts while the threat of new fires persists.
“It seems contradictory, because I am here today to carry out a task of recovery, of reviving the territory, and at the same time, we still have a threat, a danger, before us, of which we must all be aware,” he warned.
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large rural fires since July, especially in the North and Centre regions.
The fires caused four deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, and completely or partially destroyed primary and secondary residences, as well as farms, livestock operations, and forest areas.
According to provisional official data, approximately 252,000 hectares had burned in the country as of August 29.
