Vitor Pereira, positioned at the command post in Silvares (Fundão), emphasized that the large number of fires and the resulting dispersion of resources make the lack of means to combat the flames in his municipality “an inevitability.”
The mayor also highlighted that smoke is hindering operations, preventing aerial resources from being deployed at present.
“Smoke obstructs visibility, making aerial reconnaissance extremely difficult,” he stated.
Adding to these challenges, Vitor Pereira noted the exhaustion and “demoralization” of firefighters, particularly those from the Covilhã fire department who lost a colleague in an accident on Sunday afternoon.
According to the mayor, the fire continues to advance near the localities of São Jorge da Beira, Paúl, Casegas, Ourondo, Barca, São Francisco de Assis, and Erada.
“It’s almost impossible to fight this fire. From what I saw last night [Sunday], a fire of that intensity and fury is a true hell,” he emphasized.
A release issued at 10:30 by the municipality of Covilhã stated that, due to the fire fronts in the municipality, the EN 230 is closed between Unhais da Serra and Pedras Lavradas, the EM 512 between São Jorge da Beira and Silvares (Fundão), and the EM 514 between Barco and Silvares (Fundão).
“The roads that remain passable have a lot of debris from the firefighting efforts, and visibility is greatly reduced due to the intense smoke. Therefore, residents are urged to avoid any travel that is not strictly necessary, and all motorists unable to avoid such trips are asked to drive with utmost caution,” the notice reads.
Since July, mainland Portugal has been affected by numerous rural fires, primarily in the North and Central regions, under high temperature conditions that led to the declaration of an alert state on August 2.
The fires have resulted in two deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, most of which are not serious. They have also destroyed homes, both primary and secondary, agricultural and livestock properties, and forest areas.
Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, through which two Fire Boss planes are expected to arrive on Monday to bolster firefighting efforts.
Provisional official data indicates that by August 17, 172,000 hectares have burned in the country, surpassing the total burned area for the entire year of 2024.
CCC // SSS
Lusa/Fim
