“As of now, ANEPC’s aerial resources include 69 aircraft, of which two are under maintenance and not operational,” states the Civil Protection in a response, after local leaders from Grândola, Ourique, and Moura raised concerns about the lack of aerial resources to combat rural fires in their municipalities and called for urgent solutions to support the communities.
The National Operational Directive (DON), which outlines the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR), specifies 76 aerial resources for the period of June 1 to 30, known as ‘level Charlie’.
However, only 67 are currently operational to fight fires.
According to ANEPC, the light helicopters under maintenance are based at the Air Resources Centers (CMA) in Arcos de Valdez (Viana do Castelo) and Santa Comba Dão (Viseu). In Arcos de Valdevez, there is another operational helicopter.
The response from the Civil Protection only mentioned the locations where aerial resources exist, omitting details on the specific aircraft that are missing.
The Portuguese Air Force, responsible for contracting aerial firefighting resources, was questioned about the reasons for the shortage, but no response has been received so far.
Earlier in June, when ‘level Charlie’ went into effect, a sector source indicated that the shortage of aerial resources was linked to operational documentation issues and a lack of candidates in the bidding processes.
ANEPC currently has 36 light helicopters stationed at the CMAs in Arcos de Valdevez, Famalicão, Fafe, Chaves (2), Ribeira de Pena, Bragança, Alfandega da Fé, Baltar, Vale de Cambra, Vila Real, Armamar, Águeda, Viseu, Aguiar da Beira, Mêda, Guarda, Seia, Covilhã, Cernache, Lousã, Pampilhosa da Serra, Pombal, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Alcaria, Castelo Branco, Proença-a-Nova, Ferreira do Zêzere, Sardoal, Santarém, Lourinhã, Montijo, Évora, Monchique, Cachopo, and Loulé.
There are also five heavy helicopters operational at the CMAs in Macedo de Cavaleiros, Braga, Pombal, Ferreira do Zêzere, and São Brás de Alportel, and four reconnaissance, assessment, and coordination helicopters in Vila Real, Lousã, Ponte de Sor, and Beja.
Eighteen medium amphibious planes are deployed in Mirandela (2), Vila Real (2), Viseu (2), Cernache (2), Castelo Branco (2), Proença-a-Nova (2), Ponte de Sor (2), Beja (2), and Portimão (2).
According to Civil Protection, two heavy amphibious aircraft in Castelo Branco and two reconnaissance, assessment, and coordination planes based at the CMAs in Viseu and Ponte de Sor remain active.
The DECIR will be strengthened on July 1, with 79 aerial resources planned for this period.
