“It’s necessary to clarify why the aerial equipment has not yet been allocated, and we will wait for the Government’s response,” stated José Luís Carneiro to journalists before a session presenting his candidacy for the leadership of the PS with socialist members of Baixo Alentejo.
On Tuesday, the mayors of Grândola (CDU) in the district of Setúbal, and Ourique and Moura (both PS), in the district of Beja, raised concerns to the agency Lusa about the lack of aerial firefighting resources and urged for an urgent solution.
The deployment of helicopters in these three Alentejo municipalities was scheduled for the 1st of this month as part of the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR) of 2025, which did not materialize.
According to José Luís Carneiro, “it is crucial that the Government responds to this need, identified by several officials in the region.”
For the PS General Secretary candidate, who served as Minister of Internal Administration from 2022 to 2024, “at a time when temperatures are rising and humidity is decreasing, with increased fire risks, it’s imperative to have an airborne means to enhance the operational capabilities of fire-fighting forces.”
He further added, “It is very relevant that the Government explains what measures are being taken to address this territorial necessity.”
Following the alert from the mayors, the District Federation of Firefighters of Setúbal criticized the “ongoing” lack of helicopters in Grândola and Ourique and demanded the “immediate deployment” of operational aerial resources for rural fire fighting.
The Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Litoral (CIMAL) also challenged on Wednesday the “18-day delay” in deploying aerial firefighting resources in Grândola and Ourique, accusing the Government of endangering a vast forest heritage.
On Wednesday, when questioned by Lusa, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANPEC) indicated that rural fire fighting across the country currently has 67 aerial resources, nine fewer than the aircraft anticipated for this phase of the device.
In the response sent to Lusa by Civil Protection, only the locations with available aerial resources were mentioned, omitting specifics about the missing aircraft.
Lusa sought clarification from the Portuguese Air Force, responsible for hiring the aerial resources for rural fire fighting, regarding the absence of aircraft but received no response.
