In statements, Commander Marco Domingues from the Alto Minho Sub-Regional Command reported that an additional five aerial firefighting resources “are en route” to the site of the blaze in Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo district.
Domingues indicated that the fire “has two active fronts, and while it has not reached Lourido, there is a risk; however, ground resources are working to prevent that from happening.”
“There are two villages, Ermida and Froufe, that are in the path of the fire and pose concern, but protection resources are already in place,” he noted.
According to Domingues, “the two active fronts are burning in inaccessible areas,” and firefighting efforts are hampered “by strong winds, terrain, and inaccessibility issues.”
“We have been using a strategy of ground-based firefighting, combined with aerial resources,” Domingues highlighted, adding that there is no forecast for when the fire might be under control due to the “complex” weather conditions.
The fire broke out in Lindoso and, as of 09:30, was moving towards Ermida and Lourido in the PNPG.
