“Fortunately, today, we had the support of four Canadair planes, which were a great help in tackling the fire front approaching Rapoula do Côa,” noted the Mayor of Sabugal, Vítor Proença.
The fires continue to batter the border municipality in the district of Guarda, but in opposite locations, complicating the response to the fire outbreaks.
“We must divide the available resources because the fire is spread across the entire municipality, preventing a concentrated operational response,” the mayor added.
By 4:30 PM, the flames were nearing the villages of Penalobo and Seixo do Côa, as well as the Cró spa, where additional firefighting resources were being deployed.
During the afternoon, a fuel station in Cerdeira do Côa was threatened, but firefighters and residents averted a disaster.
“The situation remains complicated in Bendada,” emphasized Vítor Proença.
The fire currently affecting the Seixo do Côa area began in the village of Santo António on Friday at 2:40 PM. It involves 260 personnel, 70 vehicles, and five aerial units, according to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) website.
At Sortelha, where an alert was issued at 2:53 PM on Saturday, 57 personnel and 14 vehicles were engaged this afternoon.
