“Following an alert regarding a forest fire outbreak in the locality of Pêra do Moço, officers from the Guarda National Republican Guard (GNR) arrived promptly at the scene and conducted police inquiries that led to the identification of the suspect,” stated the Territorial Command of GNR in a note sent to Lusa news agency.
The arrest took place on Friday.
During the operation, a patrol from the Guarda Territorial Post determined that the suspect, “attempted to heat an irrigation pipe using matches, which ignited a fire that quickly got out of control, resulting in the arrest.”
The suspect was formally accused, and the case was referred to the Judicial Court of Guarda.
The GNR reminds that burning and bonfires are among the leading causes of wildfires in Portugal and are prohibited “whenever the level of rural fire danger is ‘very high’ or ‘maximum,’ and are subject to authorization or prior notification during other periods.”
