At 12:00, Jorge Custódio shared concerns regarding the northeastern area of the municipality, where a fire had moved from Malhada Chã (Arganil) towards the village of Covanca (Pampilhosa da Serra), though it posed no direct threat to the village yet.
“There is an active fire front moving from Malhada Chã towards Covanca, with Covanca facing the fire directly. Another front is moving down from the wind farm towards Porto da Balsa, Camba, and Castanheira da Serra,” stated the local official.
Custódio remarked that the fire fronts coming from Arganil extend over a great distance, with the four mentioned villages in Pampilhosa da Serra not directly threatened but presenting some concerns due to their position along the fire route.
Regarding Covanca, he mentioned that it generally has around 60 to 70 residents throughout the year, but this number swells to approximately 400 in the summer, nearly six times more.
Although no evacuations were taking place in the four villages mentioned, “as it is not necessary,” Custódio reminded that in the summer, these areas are “crowded,” with former residents returning from within the country and abroad, as well as people staying in holiday homes.
“We have different groups here. Residents accustomed to these [fire-related] situations and more city-based tourists not used to such events, experiencing anxiety,” he observed.
Further, Custódio noted that the only fully evacuated location, Ceiroco, situated further south, was not in immediate danger but was evacuated as a precautionary measure due to its single road access. “The fire command wisely intended to preempt, as wind speeds can change abruptly,” Custódio commented.
The fire, which broke out in Arganil in the Piódão parish at 05:00 on Wednesday, was reportedly ignited by a dry thunderstorm and subsequently spread to the municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Seia, the latter in the Guarda district.
Per the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, by 12:40, the Arganil fire was being battled by 900 personnel, supported by 297 vehicles and 11 air units.
