Despite the ongoing wildfire not being fully controlled, we are currently assessing the damages and ensuring municipal roads remain clear, with a detailed evaluation of the structural damage to buildings, particularly homes,” said Luciano Ribeiro.
In addition to assessing the damage to homes, authorities are also reviewing the “safety conditions of certain properties that could pose a risk to public roads or neighbors.”
The Seia Municipality today began distributing hay to animal owners and artificial feed to beekeepers. Luciano Ribeiro confirmed this support would continue and expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by companies and shepherds.
The official emphasized the need to “encourage” those involved in these activities, “which, for some, are secondary in their professional life,” to continue them as they are “crucial for the regeneration of the landscape and for maintaining their presence in the region.”
When asked about the measures announced on Thursday by the Government to address wildfire damages, the Seia Mayor expressed concern that, “when a state of calamity is not declared, it is as if saying, ‘this is no longer a calamity but rather routine.'”
“Therefore, we need to be prepared for such circumstances, which will undoubtedly occur in the future, and we must also build resilience and not give up on this territory, thinking that half of Portugal is ravaged from time to time, with nothing more to be done,” he argued.
The Prime Minister stated on Thursday that there was no need to declare a state of calamity due to the fires, highlighting the approval of legislation that allows for a much quicker operationalization of the aid mechanisms that would be made available under such circumstances.
Luciano Ribeiro stressed the importance of “specific measures to support the economy of these areas after the emergency aids approved by the Government, ensuring that state institutions do not rely solely on municipalities to solve all related issues.”
He specifically mentioned the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests concerning the stabilization of slopes and water lines.
“These will become immediate problems with the first rains,” he warned, noting the ongoing lack of “concrete measures, action, and prepared personnel for post-fire emergency measures which, as seen in the past, occur two or three years after the event, aggravating the damages.”
Luciano Ribeiro also pointed out that while there is “support for companies directly affected by the fires,” there is no known support for those experiencing significant activity downturns, “notably tourism businesses, which faced a series of cancellations due to news about the fire in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.”
The fire impacting the Seia municipality, in the district of Guarda, started on the 13th in Piódão, Arganil, Coimbra district.
Over the span of more than a week, this large blaze has spread beyond Seia to include the municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Pampilhosa da Serra (Coimbra district) and the municipalities of Castelo Branco, Covilhã, and Fundão (Castelo Branco district).
As of 11 PM on Thursday, the municipality announced on Facebook that “the fire is contained, with ongoing consolidation and overhaul efforts as well as active surveillance.”
