Three active wildfires are currently burning in the municipalities of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Mogadouro, and Torre de Moncorvo, in the Bragança district.
One of the active fire fronts is located in the cliffs of the Douro International Natural Park in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
In statements to Lusa news agency, João Noel Afonso, the sub-regional commander of Terras de Trás-os-Montes, reported that hot spots in the early afternoon escalated into active fire fronts due to projections and reignitions caused by strong winds.
“It was a very complicated afternoon, as we predicted, due to adverse weather conditions, with strong winds creating projections and reignitions, presenting negative conditions for firefighting efforts,” stated the official.
The fight against the fire was further complicated in the afternoon by smoke over the area, preventing the operation of aerial resources.
According to João Noel Afonso, the main concern for those on the ground is adverse weather conditions, with strong and unpredictable winds and low relative humidity during the night.
Firefighting teams are being “refreshed” as more firefighters arrive at the Theater of Operations (TO) from throughout the Bragança district.
The commander does not anticipate improvements in visibility for the use of aerial resources on Sunday, which will continue to hinder firefighting operations.
The blaze has already consumed over 10,000 hectares of land since it began early Friday afternoon, according to the sub-regional commander of Terras de Trás-os-Montes.
“Currently, there are no villages or assets at risk,” he noted.
As per the official page of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), 265 personnel were on the ground at 9 PM, supported by 93 vehicles.
Eight tracked machines are also part of the effort.
