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The Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan has been activated to ensure all necessary conditions and mechanisms are in place to support relief operations for the fire, which this morning spread from Arganil to the Sobral de São Miguel and São Jorge da Beira areas in Covilhã, Castelo Branco district,” stated the municipality in a note sent to the Lusa agency.
The decision was made by the president of the Covilhã Chamber and head of Civil Protection in the municipality, Vítor Pereira, following a meeting of the Civil Protection Commission.
“At 4:00 PM, the fire was burning along a mountain range between the parishes of Sobral de São Miguel and São Jorge da Beira. As a preventive measure, a concentration and support area for the population has been created at the Basic School of Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis,” the municipality added.
The Covilhã Chamber reports it is closely monitoring the work on the ground and has already deployed “all available resources to assist with operations and logistical support.”
Meanwhile, the public is advised to heed authorities’ instructions, refrain from engaging in high-risk activities, such as making fires near forested areas, and avoid parking vehicles on roads used by emergency vehicles, “to not hinder access to firefighting sites.”
The municipality also urges residents to avoid traveling to fire zones unless involved in firefighting efforts, emphasizing that their presence may obstruct operational work.
“Report any activities or actions to the GNR military that might lead to fire outbreaks,” is another recommendation from the Covilhã Chamber, highlighting that “everyone’s cooperation is essential for ensuring the safety of people and their property.”
In the note, Vítor Pereira also expressed gratitude “to all operatives for their effort, dedication, and work” in combating the flames over the past few days.
The fire that broke out on Wednesday in Arganil subsequently spread to the municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Pampilhosa da Serra, all in the Coimbra district, as well as to Seia (Guarda) and Covilhã, in the areas of Sobral de São Miguel and São Jorge da Beira.
As of 9:45 PM, according to the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, the Arganil fire was being fought by 1,007 operatives, supported by 339 vehicles.
Last weekend, the situation was reversed, with a fire starting in Covilhã before progressing to the municipality of Arganil.
