The operations officer of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), José Costa, indicated that the fight against the fire was “progressing favorably,” with no homes at risk. The number of personnel on the ground increased from 180 to 198, supported by 48 land units and nine air units.
The fire broke out around 5:00 PM in the villages of Almaceda and Padrão, in the municipality and district of Castelo Branco. As of 7:00 PM, it remained active, with additional resources en route, as reported by Civil Protection.
José Costa noted that there had been “some rain and thunder” in the Castelo Branco area, though the causes of the fire are currently unknown. An investigation will follow by the competent authorities.
When queried about the deployment of around two hundred personnel to combat this forest fire, a source from the Beira Baixa Sub-regional Command stated that it is related to “the weather conditions.”
The operations officer added that the fire in Alvorão, Torres Novas, was being fought by 109 personnel, supported by 29 vehicles and three air units as of 7:00 PM.
The same source confirmed that the fire in Alpalhão, Nisa municipality, was declared under control by 6:18 PM, with 92 personnel, 30 vehicles, and three air units still on site.
Due to the heatwave affecting the country, the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) issued a red warning for seven mainland districts from today until Tuesday: Lisbon, Setúbal, Santarém, Évora, Beja, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre.
The remaining districts are under orange (the second most severe) and yellow warnings, with variations from today until Tuesday.
