During a briefing to journalists at the Arouca Fire Department at 18:00, Margarida Belém stated that the fire outbreak in Alvarenga was detected by the municipality’s surveillance drones.
“We were testing an innovative surveillance system, and it was this control that assisted the municipal civil protection services in detecting the initial outbreaks near a municipal road (…). The authorities have been notified and are carrying out their duties,” the official noted.
At the same time, Hélder Silva, the sub-regional commander of Emergency and Civil Protection for Lezíria do Tejo, reported that the fire, which has been burning in Arouca for over 24 hours, has caused damage to some agricultural outbuildings and a secondary residence, with six firefighters injured due to exhaustion.
“The work is very tough. There is a lot of wind rotation, the slope is very steep, and any firefighting action results in significant wear, leading to great exhaustion among the operatives,” he added.
The situation remains critical with three active fronts, and the strong winds are complicating firefighting efforts. “We have very strong and erratic winds, requiring constant movement of resources. What we can say is that all resources are positioned to defend everything in the line of fire,” he assured.
Despite no current evacuations, risk persists, and the public is advised to stay indoors. “The risk exists, and we are doing everything possible to contain all damage and to be at the right places at the right times,” he stated.
He expressed hope for a calm night, allowing the fire to be subdued by on-ground reinforcements, including a squad from the Special Civil Protection Force and a unit from the National Republican Guard’s Emergency and Relief Unit (UEPS). “These are fresh resources entering precisely at dusk with more favorable conditions to achieve greater success in combatting the fire,” he affirmed.
The municipalities of Arouca and Castelo de Paiva, in the district of Aveiro, activated their Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plans early this morning.
At 19:55, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection’s website indicated that the Canelas/Espiunca fire in Arouca, which spread to Castelo de Paiva, was engaging 748 operatives, 257 vehicles, and six aerial resources.
