Luís Antunes praised the work of the field operatives on the ground throughout the day, which enabled the containment of several flare-ups, aided by aerial resources, in Serpins, Góis, and atop the mountain near Trevim.
Though there were no active fronts, the fire remained “ongoing” as of 9 p.m., according to the online update from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, with 432 operatives and 139 vehicles on site.
“We’ve had a lot of work, but everything is under control so far. There is a consolidation point that needs more attention at the top of the mountain, but [the fire] is in that phase of work,” stated the mayor.
Luís Antunes further noted that the fire remains “ongoing” under operational command due to more intense reactivations on the side of the Góis municipality.
The mayor also expressed hope that the night would contribute to resolving the Lousã fire, which began on the hillside above the town of Candal and led to the precautionary evacuation of more than a dozen villages, by Monday, five days after it started.
“We hope that it will [be resolved]. So tomorrow morning we have an even more positive outlook than today,” he remarked.
Continental Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Central regions, amid high temperatures that prompted the declaration of a state of alert from August 2.
The fires caused two deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly minor, while destroying homes, agricultural farms, livestock facilities, and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes are expected to arrive on Monday to bolster firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, 172,000 hectares burned in the country by August 17, surpassing the total burned area for the entire year of 2024.
