The risk to local populations necessitates the allocation of resources to prevent fires from reaching homes, explained Elísio Pereira, Commander of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, adding that this also complicates efforts to combat the fires themselves.
It was further noted that two urban firefighting groups, each comprising 30 personnel, have been deployed to the Penamacor fire as a precautionary measure, although they are not expected to be needed.
No evacuations have been required in nearby villages, assured the Civil Protection representative.
Regarding the possibility of reinforcing firefighting resources tonight, the Civil Protection source indicated this is unlikely, given the recent increase in personnel and vehicles in the field.
As of this afternoon, over 2,700 personnel, supported by more than 600 vehicles, were battling 17 forest fires deemed high-risk, according to an update provided by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) at its headquarters in Carnaxide, Oeiras. The national commander of Emergency and Civil Protection, Mário Silvestre, reported that 20 people, including 14 firefighters, have received assistance.
In Alcanede, Santarém, one of the fires affected a livestock farm, resulting in animal casualties.
Other significant fires highlighted by ANEPC include those in Lindoso, advancing towards Serra Amarela, and in Arouca, threatening the villages of Castelo de Paiva and Arouca.
Civil Protection hoped for favorable developments in combating the fires in Penamacor and Nisa during the night.
Commander Elísio Pereira expressed the hope that cooler temperatures would aid in controlling some of the active fires. However, for those with vast areas already engulfed and challenging access, nightfall may not provide much assistance, he noted.
