The president of the Benfeita Parish Council, José Pinheiro, stated at 2:40 PM that the fire “is not very strong.” “There is one front causing concern because it is descending toward the bottom of the valley. If it crosses this valley, it will move towards the two localities [Luadas and Pai das Donas],” he said.
He also noted that rising temperatures and wind speed are additional concerns. “Aerial resources came in the morning. Only aerial resources can reach that location,” he emphasized.
According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), at 2:45 PM, the rural fire in Arganil was being tackled by 954 operatives, supported by 316 vehicles and seven aerial means.
This fire broke out in the Piódão parish, in the municipality of Arganil (Coimbra district), on Wednesday and spread to neighboring municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Pampilhosa da Serra (Coimbra), Seia (Guarda), and Covilhã (Castelo Branco).
The special readiness state of the Rural Firefighting Special Device (DECIR) has been maintained at its highest level, four, since August 11, and emergency and civil protection plans are activated in the districts of Viseu and Coimbra, as well as municipal plans in Trancoso, Oliveira do Hospital, Arganil, Aguiar da Beira, Sátão, Sernancelhe, Seia, Pampilhosa da Serra, Tábua, Góis, and Covilhã.
ANEPC highlighted that, due to the declared alert situation, there is a prohibition on accessing and traversing forested areas, conducting burnings and fires, the suspension of any issued authorizations, and using any machinery in forested areas or other rural spaces, as well as the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices.
