A 32-year-old man has been arrested by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) on suspicion of committing four forest fire crimes in Terras de Bouro and Vieira do Minho.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the PJ reported that the crimes took place on July 4th and 5th, between 10:00 PM and 12:45 AM, during which ignitions occurred in the parishes of Valdosende and Caniçada, resulting in forest fires.
According to the PJ, these fires caused “alarm among the local population” and “consumed extensive forest areas.”
During their investigation, authorities noticed “a vehicle driven by the suspect at high speed.”
The vehicle made an abrupt U-turn “without justification,” and several fire outbreaks were detected, some spreading to forested areas where the suspect had been seen.
The PJ stated, “Based on the information collected and the identification of the suspect, we were able to gather consistent indicative evidence of the suspect’s involvement in the events.”
The fires were set in areas “with conditions for spreading across extensive forested zones,” posing a “significant risk to the entire forest, which includes nearby residential clusters.”
This rural area, with steep topography, “is widely known for its biodiversity and is located adjacent to the Peneda-Gerês National Park.”
The PJ also revealed that “the fires were extinguished by firefighters and locals, who detected them early, preventing their spread.”
The suspect is set to appear before judicial authorities tomorrow, Thursday, for an initial interrogation and the application of coercive measures.
The arrest was made in collaboration with the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR).
