The mayor of Penedono, in the Viseu district, Cristina Ferreira, expressed frustration and a sense of helplessness as wildfires continued to ravage the region. Speaking around 5:15 PM, Ferreira conveyed her distress over the lack of aerial resources, stating, “Since yesterday [Thursday], I have been requesting resources, anticipating this situation due to the neighboring municipalities. We have no aerial means. All parishes are dealing with fires.”
Ferreira highlighted the dire situation, listing several affected areas: “Souto, Granja, Arcas, A do Bispo, Telhal, Ourozinho, Antas, Penela da Beira, and Castaínço are all engulfed in flames.” She lamented, “I keep asking for resources, and they do not appear. We’ve been abandoned.”
The mayor noted that local residents, alongside the Penedono firefighters, were actively battling the fires. “We are unable to keep up, and in my view, there is a lack of coordination, which I deeply regret. I’ve personally experienced some frightening moments today, along with others,” she shared.
Ferreira argued that command should be located within the municipality, as incoming firefighters are unfamiliar with the terrain. She raised concerns about the safety of her residents and the municipality, saying, “I’ve been asking for resources and aerial support, and nothing. How will my populations survive? How will my municipality be saved?”
The social-democrat mayor confirmed that, so far, residents have managed to protect their properties, particularly their homes, though other losses remain uncertain due to the ongoing active fronts.
Communication issues further complicated the situation. “We are struggling to communicate; we are without communication. I have to relocate to use my mobile phone. Regarding power, some places have it, others do not. We are here, abandoned,” Ferreira disclosed.
This fire is affecting the municipalities of Sátão, Sernancelhe, Moimenta da Beira, Penedono, and São João da Pesqueira in the Viseu district, and Aguiar da Beira, Trancoso, Fornos de Algodres, Mêda, and Celorico da Beira in the Guarda district.
The Vila Boa fire, in the parish of Ferreira de Aves, Sátão, was first reported at 1:03 AM on Wednesday, the 13th, spreading to Sernancelhe in Viseu and Aguiar da Beira in Guarda on the same day.
As of 5:30 PM, 995 personnel, supported by 322 vehicles and four aircraft, were combating the fire, according to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
The Freches fire in the municipality of Trancoso, Guarda district, was reported on Saturday, the 9th, at 5:21 PM. At 5:30 PM, 490 personnel and 170 vehicles were involved in its combat, as per ANEPC’s official page.
