By 12:00 PM at the ANEPC headquarters in Oeiras, Lisbon, an official disclosed that the fire is being combated with “approximately 85 vehicles, 269 operatives, and 13 aerial means, four of which are Spanish aircraft […] supporting the northern region.”
Carlos Pereira stated that the fire “has two active fronts,” one near the locality of Froufe and another near Ermida, and “at this moment” poses “no danger to the population.”
“Currently, no populations are affected. There was no need to evacuate any homes, population, or village in general,” he emphasized.
According to the ANEPC website, the fire started at 9:47 PM on Saturday in Lindoso, Ponte da Barca, district of Viana do Castelo.
When asked today about the causes of the fire starting during the night, the ANEPC deputy highlighted that “it is a situation that the competent authorities, particularly the GNR,” are evaluating on-site.
In response to Lusa, Carlos Pereira also acknowledged that there is an aircraft usually stationed in Alto Minho that is inoperable.
“The only inoperable aircraft was the second aircraft that was in Arcos de Valdevez, which is in Portalegre, but it is ‘inop,’ not operating. Whether in Portalegre or Arcos de Valdevez, it remained inoperable,” he stated.
The official added that the ANEPC is unaware of the reason for it being inoperable, noting that the Air Force communicated it is due to “technical problems.”
