“We were quite concerned when the fronts were active and strong, but we managed to control the flames,” stated Ana Rita Dias, the mayor of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, speaking in the village of Pinduradouro.
The fire began close to this village around 10 a.m., and firefighters initially prevented it from reaching the community. However, a change in wind later pushed the flames back towards Pinduradouro.
Ana Rita Dias noted that the area’s agricultural pastures proved advantageous in such situations, with locals joining the efforts to combat the fire.
Among them was Domingos Gonçalves, who used his tractor equipped with a water tank to help extinguish the flames and protect the pasture and livestock.
“The fire started in the morning and hasn’t given us a break,” added Júlia Gonçalves, a resident at the village entrance in the Alvão parish.
The fire fronts are burning with “medium to high intensity,” one heading towards Gouvães da Serra and the other towards Lamas in the Ribeira de Pena municipality. By 5 p.m., according to a Civil Protection source, there were 190 operatives, 55 vehicles, and seven aerial units on the scene.
Strong winds and difficult access are challenges cited by those battling the blaze.
The Alvão mountain range includes the municipalities of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Ribeira de Pena, Vila Real, and Mondim de Basto. The latter two municipalities were recently affected by a different fire that started on Saturday and was resolved by Wednesday morning.
In Vila Real and Mondim de Basto, operations today focus on mop-up, consolidation, and monitoring, according to Civil Protection’s website. There are 254 operatives, with 80 vehicles and one aerial unit currently involved.
