In an update on Facebook at 17:30 today, the Covilhã City Hall reported that, after extremely difficult and complex moments experienced on Thursday, the situation on the ground has shown some improvements.
However, the fire remains active and demands much caution and firefighting efforts, with fronts in Cortes do Meio and the Padre Alfredo Dam valley, it added.
Speaking to Lusa news agency, the mayor, Vítor Pereira, stated, “The situation is not as severe, apparently, as it was last night and at the end of the day.”
“Until recently, everything seemed calmer, more peaceful. But, as usual, difficulties arose once the mountain breeze started to blow,” he noted.
Regarding the active fronts, the mayor confirmed no villages are currently at risk.
In the Padre Alfredo Dam valley, the active front is burning in a higher area, with many cliffs and rocks, little afforestation, and more fine fuel.
“This front is far from the villages and is moving towards the Torre summit. If it moves, thanks to the wind, towards the burnt area, all the better,” he emphasized.
According to Pereira, there have been small reignitions in Dominguizo, Unhais da Serra, Vales do Rio, and Taliscas, which are being fought and could be successfully extinguished.
“These were recorded this afternoon, with the mountain breeze and the heat intensifying. It’s a recurring circumstance,” he added.
Pereira mentioned that aerial means continue to operate, with the hope they slow, mitigate, and stop the flames’ progress, allowing ground crews and vehicles to complete the task.
Due to the fires, Covilhã City Hall decided to cancel a scheduled dramatic visit and a concert within the Summer in the Historical Center initiative.
The municipality also announced an open consultation service for children showing acute respiratory symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
“This measure is intended for children and young people up to 18 years old and results from a partnership with pediatric healthcare professionals who volunteered for evaluation, management, and, if necessary, referrals,” it explained.
The free consultations will take place at the Population Concentration and Support Zone in the Vales do Rio Pavilion, today (20:00 to 23:00), on Saturday (15:00 to 20:00), and on Sunday (09:00 to 13:00).
On the ground, multidisciplinary teams are already providing social support to people affected by the fires.
This fire, which began on the 13th in Arganil, Coimbra district, has already reached three municipalities in Castelo Branco district: Castelo Branco, Fundão, and Covilhã.
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large-scale wildfires since July, especially in the northern and central regions.
The fires resulted in three deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some severe, and destroyed or partially damaged primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forested areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, providing two Fire Boss planes and a Super Puma helicopter, with an additional two Canadair planes expected today.
According to provisional official data, by August 22, approximately 234,000 hectares had burned in the country, over 53,000 of which were in the fire that began in Arganil.
