“This is an unprecedented situation, and we are doing our best to bring two replacement aircraft to Portugal as quickly as possible from one of our other bases in Europe. Our priority is the safety of the population and local communities in combating the fires that have affected the country in recent weeks,” stated Avincis in a response.
The company did not provide specific dates for the arrival of the aircraft in Portugal and did not clarify since when or why the heavy firefighting planes have been inoperative.
A source from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) stated today that the ‘Canadair’ heavy firefighting planes available in Portugal are out of service.
According to the same source, the two ‘Canadair’ planes assigned to the Special Device for Fighting Rural Fires (DECIR) became inoperative. A third plane, meant to substitute in case of breakdowns, is also out of service.
The spokesperson for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), responsible for the procurement of aerial firefighting resources, stated that the companies responsible for the leasing and operation of the planes must replace the out-of-service ‘Canadair’ and are subject to penalties for contract non-compliance.
Regarding the causes of the breakdowns, the FAP deferred the disclosure of information to the companies involved.
Portugal is on alert due to the fire risk, and several fires have erupted in the north and central regions of the country in recent weeks, consuming nearly 60,000 hectares of land this year.
