“The fires in Trancoso and Sátão were very close, almost interacting, with some areas already less than 10 kilometers apart. As such, we have absorbed the command which is now unified across 10 municipalities,” stated the on-ground commander, Jody Rato, around 9:00 a.m.
The fire impacts the municipalities of Sátão, Sernancelhe, Moimenta da Beira, Penedono and “is encroaching” on São João da Pesqueira (Viseu district); Aguiar da Beira, Trancoso, Fornos de Algodres, Meda, and Celorico da Beira (Guarda district).
“Currently, there are three very large active fronts. One of them spans over 20 kilometers. The area of greatest concern is the north, at the head of the fire, where the intensity is highest, specifically in Penedono and São João da Pesqueira,” he continued.
Jody Rato added that within this fire’s perimeter, 1,368 personnel are working, supported by 461 vehicles and supplemented by seven tracked machines. As of around 9:00 a.m., “aerial means are being mobilized.”
“We currently have four aircraft deployed, and may reinforce over the day. Due to other active fires, resources are finite and we understand the need for strategic allocation,” explained the deputy regional commander for the Centro region.
Today’s efforts are anticipated to be extremely challenging, not only due to the vast area involved but also compounded by accessibility issues and challenging weather conditions.
During the nighttime operations, the commander reported “three minor injuries and one firefighter who received treatment mainly for smoke in the eyes, but returned to duty after proper care.”
The fire has already caused destruction “affecting some residences, mostly presumed to be secondary or vacant homes, with vehicles, warehouses, and businesses also impacted.”
“The assessment is ongoing, but the priority remains fighting the fire,” stressed Jody Rato.
The alert for the Freches fire, in the Municipality of Trancoso, Guarda district, was issued on Saturday, September 9, at 5:21 p.m.
As of 9:30 a.m., 510 personnel, supported by 177 vehicles, were combating this fire, according to the official page of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
The Vila Boa fire, in the parish of Ferreira de Aves, Sátão, Viseu district, was alerted at 1:03 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13, reaching the municipalities of Sernancelhe, also in Viseu district, and Aguiar da Beira, Guarda district, on the same day.
As of 9:30 a.m., 867 personnel, supported by 284 vehicles and seven aircraft, were combating this fire, according to ANEPC’s official page.
