The decision was made during a council meeting held on Wednesday, where a proposal was also presented to initiate a damage assessment in the most affected parishes “with the aim of defining the terms for providing support to the most affected residents and businesses,” the Municipality stated in a communication sent to the Lusa news agency.
The fire that began on the 15th of the month, spreading to the municipalities of Almeida, Guarda (district of Guarda), and Penamacor, the latter in the district of Castelo Branco, has now been reported as under resolution.
A source from the Beiras and Serra da Estrela Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command informed Lusa that the fire entered the resolution phase at 2:00 a.m.
A total of 367 operatives remain on the ground, supported by 86 vehicles, “engaged in consolidation and surveillance work on some hot spots,” the same source added.
The fire originated in Aldeia de Santo António, near the municipal seat, with the alert being raised at 14:41, according to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) website.
The flames eventually spread to various locations in the border municipality of the Guarda district, threatening several localities in the neighboring municipalities of Almeida, Guarda, and Penamacor.
The municipal council began assessing the damages and losses in the most affected parishes on Wednesday.
“A multidisciplinary team from the municipality has been formed, which, in coordination with the presidents of the Parish Councils, is verifying the most urgent needs, both human and related to animal welfare,” announced the Sabugal City Hall in a statement sent to Lusa.
Municipal technicians are also conducting a “mapping and framework” assessment of the burned areas, aiming to “support and implement recovery/minimization measures in conjunction with any measures the Government may decree.”
