The deputy commander of the Montalegre fire department, Miguel Monteiro, stated that the fire approached “very close to houses and warehouses” in Vilar de Perdizes, a village that is now “out of danger”.
The alert was given at 10:25 a.m., and by late afternoon, the fire was raging in bush and pine areas, with three fronts advancing, one heading towards the Soutelinho da Raia area and the municipality of Chaves.
Monteiro explained that challenges in combating the fire included erratic winds and steep terrain, noting that there were “limited resources, especially aerial ones,” during the day.
“A couple of aerial resources arrived almost by the end of the afternoon. We did what we could, but with a lot of work,” stated the deputy commander of the Montalegre fire department in the northern district of Vila Real.
According to the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), around 60 personnel were battling the fire during the afternoon. By 8:00 p.m., reinforcement brought 114 operatives supported by 35 vehicles.
Monteiro mentioned that this fire originated from the Spanish region of Xinzo de Limia and noted that Portuguese firefighters had been assisting the Spanish effort “for four, five days”.
