By 5:45 PM, José Rocha, the mayor of Castelo de Paiva, announced that the fire was uncontrolled, with multiple active fronts in Fornos, Bairros, Real, and São Pedro do Paraíso.
“We have had some rekindlings, which create new fronts and complicate the firefighters’ efforts,” the mayor explained, calling for additional resources to support the Castelo de Paiva contingent.
José Rocha also noted that several houses and a bakery in Carreiros, Bairros, were at risk, but firefighters managed to protect the people and property.
“In the Vilar de Eirigo area, the Nespereira fire from Cinfães crossed the Paiva River and opened another front. The Real front remains very active, not only in the center of the parish but also in Gilde and Gildinho, and in São Pedro do Paraíso, the fire is nearing Paraduça and Gondra,” he added.
The mayor further stated that the primary goal continues to be the protection of people and property. In addition to a furniture factory’s warehouse, which was partially burned, a scrapyard in Seixo was also consumed by the flames.
The official mentioned that the village of Vilar de Eirigo remains confined and that the area of Seixo is no longer isolated by the fire, allowing residents to return home.
The councils of Castelo de Paiva and Arouca in the district of Aveiro activated their Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plans early today.
By 5:45 PM, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection’s website indicated that the Canelas/Espiunca fire in Arouca, which spread to Castelo de Paiva, involved 722 personnel, 246 vehicles, and seven aerial resources.
