Images shared by the Portuguese Air Force on Friday highlight their involvement in combating the fires that have been ravaging the country, mainly in the North.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Air Force detailed that since Wednesday, July 30, it had intensified its support for rural fire fighting in response to the worsening situation.
A P-3C CUP+ aircraft has been deployed to conduct surveillance missions in support of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the National Republican Guard.
The P-3C CUP+ is a multi-engine aircraft, capable of information gathering, with night imaging and target tracking capabilities using infrared technology, and high endurance, able to fly day or night for more than 13 consecutive hours.
According to the Air Force, during the first eight hours of its mission, nine fire outbreaks were reported to the ANEPC in Ermelo, Gandra, and Santa Comba Dão.
“These surveillance missions aim to monitor areas most vulnerable to rural fires, focusing on the early detection of fire outbreaks and their causes, allowing fire-fighting resources to be directed to the field,” the statement details, further explaining that aerial surveillance “also enables the detection of risky or intentional behaviors.”
“Whenever suspicious behavior is detected, it is followed up and reported immediately to the competent authorities, ensuring appropriate intervention while also promoting a deterrent effect,” the Air Force explains.
See the images in the gallery above.
