A 52-year-old man was arrested by the National Republican Guard (GNR) on Saturday in the municipality of Valença for the crime of forest fire.
In a statement released on Sunday, the security force detailed that they responded to an alert about “five fire outbreaks in the municipality of Valença, which emerged quickly between 1:07 PM and 2:11 PM” the previous day.
The Guardsmen “immediately mobilized to the site and initiated surveillance actions.”
Subsequently, “the suspect was caught in the act by the Guardsmen igniting fires directly with a lighter.”
The man was arrested, and the lighter was confiscated.
Notícias ao Minuto has learned that the suspect has a criminal history for other offenses and has been previously imprisoned.
The detained individual is scheduled to appear tomorrow, September 1, for an initial court hearing at the Judicial Court of Valença.
The Viana do Castelo Territorial Command of the GNR was supported by patrols from the Valença and Vila Nova de Cerveira Territorial Posts.
The GNR emphasizes its continued vigilance in preventing and combating rural fires, actively contributing to criminal accountability for perpetrators and the protection of people, property, and natural heritage.
“The protection of individuals and property in rural fire contexts remains a priority for the GNR, supported by preventive actions and patrol efforts in forest areas,” it highlights.
The GNR reminds that:
- Burning and bonfire activities are among the leading causes of fires in Portugal;
- The conducting of burnings, pile burning, and bonfires is prohibited whenever the rural fire danger level is ‘very high’ or ‘maximum,’ and it requires authorization or prior notification in other periods;
- To prevent accidents, follow safety rules, always be accompanied, and carry a mobile phone.
