“I would say the situation remains the same as at lunchtime. We have very large slopes, and the fire front remains constant as it moves towards the Ceira River,” stated Jorge Custódio at 19:15.
According to the mayor of Pampilhosa da Serra, in the district of Coimbra, at that time there were no villages in danger.
“We anticipate a very long night, just like the previous one. We hope the wind will aid us by pushing the fire towards the already burned area,” he added.
Jorge Custódio highlighted that the wind has been inconsistent but predominantly blowing northward, towards the already burned area.
However, he expressed concern about a possible wind shift from 20:00/21:00, which could suddenly change the entire scenario.
The forest fire that has been raging since this morning in Pampilhosa da Serra originated from the neighboring municipality of Arganil, where it broke out in the village of Piódão at 05:00 on Wednesday, allegedly caused by a dry thunderstorm lightning strike in the area.
It later spread to the municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Seia, the latter located in the district of Guarda.
According to the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, as of 19:35, the Arganil fire was being fought by 305 personnel, supported by 86 vehicles and five aircraft.
