“It’s a very complicated situation, with a large extent, many rekindlings, rekindlings close to populations. There are places where the population is alone because resources are engaged in various fronts, they cannot be everywhere. If it weren’t a cliché, I would describe the situation as hell on Earth,” stated Augusto Marinho.
In statements to Lusa, Augusto Marinho mentioned that the Secretary of State for Internal Administration said that the fire with two fronts “is more concerning in Ermida, Parada, and Cidadelhe.”
“In the place of Igreja, in Entre-Ambos-os-Rios, it is also complicated. The former primary school and a house located in a more isolated area were at risk. The wind changes direction, and new hotspots arise. There is a lot of wind, it’s very hot, and the terrain is very difficult,” he noted.
Augusto Marinho pointed out that “thanks to the operators on the ground, for now, there are no houses” affected.
“In some situations, I think God also lent a hand,” the social-democratic mayor confided.
The fire “has already caused significant damage, killing livestock and consuming annexes and agricultural equipment, among others,” he mentioned, adding that he spoke with the Secretary of State for Civil Protection who “ensured that all available aerial resources are allocated to the fire in Ponte da Barca.”
At 3:20 p.m., according to the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), nine aerial resources, 357 operators, and 112 vehicles from various areas of the country were mobilized for this fire.
Due to this fire, the Câmara de Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, activated the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan (PMEPC) today at midnight.
The fire broke out on Saturday night in the place of Parada, in the parish of Lindoso, in the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
