Since the beginning of the fire season, the Army has mobilized 3,269 soldiers and 1,413 vehicles, covering 254,150 kilometers over 8,605 hours of mission across 16 districts, according to a statement.
These fire-fighting resources will be reinforced with three platoons for aftermath and surveillance, increasing the daily force by 60 soldiers, the Army highlighted.
Daily, this branch of the Armed Forces maintains 35 permanent patrols with approximately 300 soldiers on the ground, it detailed.
The Army has 10 surveillance and detection patrols (PVD) as part of an agreement with the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), 16 patrols under the Revelles Plan supporting the GNR, and nine patrols stemming from agreements with municipalities.
In addition to the three new platoons, the Army has three other aftermath and post-fire surveillance platoons (PelRVPI), two of which are stationed in Siralheiros, in the municipality of Vila Real, where a fire burned for two weeks in the Serra do Alvão and is again under control since Wednesday, and one platoon in Chavães, municipality of Tabuaço (Viseu), where the fire was brought under control today.
The Army also has two engineering detachments with tracked machinery at the fire that began on Saturday in Freches, municipality of Trancoso (Guarda), which remains active and engaged nearly 500 operatives with 151 vehicles as of 9 p.m. today.
On July 18, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGFA) announced that approximately six thousand soldiers will be involved this year in operations for surveillance, fire deterrence, and raising public awareness against rural fires.
