Alexandre Favaios, addressing journalists in Gontães in the Alvão mountains at 11:00 a.m., stated that among the three fires that ignited in the municipality on Saturday—Sirarelhos, Torgueda, and São Cibrão—this one is the most concerning.
“We have here a significant forest area, and it is a very challenging task, so a word of gratitude to the number of men and women who worked tirelessly through the night to ensure everything has gone well up to now,” he noted.
Alexandre Favaios mentioned that currently, “there are no villages, people, or assets at risk.”
The incident, which began in Sirarelhos at 11:45 p.m., involves 110 operatives, 30 vehicles, and seven aerial units.
“We are seeing an increase in resources and naturally hope to tackle this worrying front,” he added.
He explained, “this is a very challenging task”, with “air resources complementing the groundwork being done by the forest workers.”
When asked about the difficulties in battling the fire, he highlighted “the terrain itself and the density of the forest area, which leads to a more intense spread”, emphasizing “the collaboration between ground and air resources.”
Two fires are raging in pine forest and scrubland areas in Torgueda and Sirarelhos, Vila Real, with approximately 220 operatives and 10 aerial units mobilized at 9:44 a.m., according to the Civil Protection.
Another fire in the Arrabães (Torgueda) area is, according to the president, in a “consolidation phase and does not pose great danger”, mobilizing 90 personnel and 25 vehicles.
A third fire, which started in São Cibrão on Saturday, remains active in the municipality. It spread to Sabrosa, where it intensified and is a greater concern, with 278 operatives, 91 vehicles, and four aerial units deployed on the ground.
“The needs are many, and we would all like to have more resources in the field, but in this spirit of solidarity, we try to understand what is the most considered management of these resources,” said Alexandre Favaios.
Mainland Portugal is on alert from today until Thursday due to the high risk of fire in the coming days, announced the Minister of Internal Administration.
“Given the worsening weather forecasts indicating a significant risk of rural fire, the Government decided to declare an alert situation across mainland territory,” stated Maria Lúcia Amaral in a nationwide announcement, without taking questions.
The alert situation came into effect at midnight today and will last until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.
