“We are experiencing difficult times with forest fires, and we will face more challenges in the coming days, possibly very tough times until the end of the summer,” stated José Luís Carneiro to reporters after visiting the volunteer fire station in Lagos, Faro district.
The socialist leader, who served as the Minister of Internal Administration in the government led by António Costa from 2022 to 2024, offered words of solidarity to the men and women serving in humanitarian organizations across the country.
“Words of confidence, strength, and solidarity at a time the country is enduring and will certainly continue to endure until the end of summer. You know well that I have been the Minister of Internal Administration, I know this area well and I recognize the tremendous effort our firefighters are making,” he remarked.
Four fires in the northern region are the main concern for the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) mobilizing more than 1,000 operatives, announced the national commander at 19:00.
“The most significant ongoing incidents at this time are: Sirarelhos in Vila Real, Alvadia in Ribeira de Pena (Vila Real district); Frexes and Torres in Trancoso (Guarda) and Pereira in Covilhã (Castelo Branco),” stated Mário Silvestre.
These fires involve 1,245 operatives, 392 vehicles, and 19 aerial resources for enhanced attacks.
After an extended visit to the Lagos corporation, José Luís Carneiro expressed that he had seen “a good example for the country on how to structure a humanitarian association in all its service areas, whether search and rescue, coastal and beach support, or fighting forest fires,” he outlined.
When questioned by journalists, the PS leader refrained from evaluating the government’s performance in combating forest fires for the time being.
“There will be a time for evaluation. This is not the moment for that; this moment is to express my solidarity and support to those who, on our behalf, fight the flames and strive to protect people and their assets,” he stressed.
The Secretary-General of the PS also highlighted the importance of individual responsibility “towards forests and fire protection,” avoiding, “especially in critical periods,” the use of fire and machinery that can ignite fires.
“When there are up to 120, 130 simultaneous fires in the country, the civil protection system can respond effectively. Beyond those numbers, with 140, 150 simultaneous fires, the civil protection system will naturally always have limited resources for the country’s overall needs,” he explained.
According to José Luís Carneiro, “solutions partly lie in attitudes and behaviors” for the country to “manage the fires safely.”
“This was what I said when I was a minister, and it is what I say now that I am in the opposition,” he concluded.
