Nuno Vaz stated that “most likely” the area burned today could reach between 3,000 to 4,000 hectares, a figure comparable to another fire that affected the municipality in July 2022, covering the same villages but in the reverse direction.
In 2022, the burned area was 3,368 hectares.
The official noted that the fire’s progression was swift and erratic due to strong winds reaching gusts of 40 kilometers per hour, and that the priority for the operational teams was the protection of people and homes.
He also mentioned that for several days, this northern municipality in the district of Vila Real had been threatened by the fire burning in Galicia, Spain, which today entered the municipality through the Cambedo area.
On Monday, it had already reached Vilar de Perdizes, in the neighboring municipality of Montalegre.
“Those involved in fighting this fire have emphasized that the speed at which it progresses is absolutely remarkable,” highlighted the official.
Nuno Vaz expressed a “very great need for the mobilization of resources” for this event, particularly aerial resources “in greater quantity and capacity” that could operate on Wednesday morning.
“If we had had aerial resources with greater capacity and not just for initial reaction, perhaps we would not have had a progression that started in Cambedo, then moved to Vilela Seca, proceeded to Torre, went to Couto, Agrela, Bustelo, and Outeiro Seco,” he pointed out.
The flames also reached the industrial area of Outeiro Seco.
Since the priority was to safeguard people and property, the fire progressed freely in the forest, also causing damage to olive groves, chestnut groves, and vineyards.
Nuno Vaz also noted the environmental, tourist, human, and even emotional impact.
According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) website, 387 operatives and 124 vehicles were mobilized for this incident, which began in national territory at 10:25 a.m. on Monday in Vilar de Perdizes (Montalegre), as of 10:30 p.m.
