The Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, stated on Wednesday that there is “always a shortage of resources,” but highlighted that the “greatest effort” is being made on the ground, in response to the wildfires affecting various areas of the country.
“We have 72 helicopters operational, and the airplanes depend on the collaboration between the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), the Air Force, and the Ministry of Defense,” the minister explained to journalists when asked about the number of helicopters and planes prepared to combat the fires.
The minister added: “We do not live on two separate planets, we are part of the same country,” and “the Civil Protection, firefighters, Air Force, and all State resources are currently deployed.”
“The situation is tremendously difficult. Our primary duty is to ensure it does not become so severe as to endanger people’s lives and property,” she noted.
Maria Lúcia Amaral emphasized that the government and other forces are “focused on ensuring that assets and lives are not affected,” and therefore have “mobilized all resources.” However, she cautioned: “All resources within what is possible.”
“Unfortunately, there is always a shortage of resources. These are the ones we have. They are the greatest effort made so far. Should we have more, certainly, but this is our condition,” she highlighted.
When asked about the burnt area, the minister stated, according to expert reports on this matter, that “the same is happening in Portugal as in other countries,” both in Europe and beyond.
Statistics from the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR) show that forest fires have consumed nearly 42,000 hectares this year, eight times more than the same period in 2024 and the highest amount since 2022.
Since January 1, there have been 5,211 fires resulting in 41,644 hectares of burnt area.
It should also be noted that on Wednesday, the Minister of National Defense announced that the State would acquire two wildfire combat ‘kits’ to equip two C-130 aircraft, with an investment of about 16 million euros.
In statements made to journalists at the Ministry of National Defense in Lisbon, during a ceremony of appointment of directors-general of his ministry, Nuno Melo mentioned that the Council of Ministers would approve the acquisition of two of the “most modern wildfire combat ‘kits'” to equip the Air Force’s C-130 aircraft.
