“It left us very concerned about some of the silences that occurred, and therefore, we want to know what exactly did not go well here in Vila Real, where we had a fire burning for 12 days right at the heart of our region,” said Alexandre Favaios to journalists.
The fire ignited on August 2 in Sirarelhos, Vila Real, spread along the Alvão mountain range, and reached Mondim de Basto. It was considered under control but reignited twice, first on Saturday and then on Monday.
During this period, the mayor repeatedly called for reinforced resources on the ground and stated it was time to hear from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) and the government about the fire slowly consuming the municipality.
When asked whom he holds accountable, Alexandre Favaios responded that “it must be the top officials.”
“It must be ANEPC, and political leaders as well, who can, in some way, give us an explanation to tell the people whose homes, lives, lands, forests, and livelihoods were jeopardized for so many days,” he said.
Favaios acknowledged the adverse fighting and weather conditions but noted that after a period of calm, the last few days have seen “another tumultuous situation.”
“It was 12 days of hard work and struggle. More than 6,000 hectares of land burned, wounding a community, but one that remains standing,” he declared.
Therefore, with the fire now resolved, the mayor expressed “gratitude” for the firefighters and other personnel on the ground who played “a crucial role” and “stood by Vila Real.”
“We witnessed and were always on the ground during very complicated and particularly impactful moments. We had over 20 villages involved in this entire fire, which naturally left us concerned,” he noted.
The assessment of damages left by the fire will commence, but the mayor stated that Vila Real’s natural heritage, including the Alvão Natural Park, pastures, and forests, was affected.
“It is time to assess the impact of the damages naturally caused,” he said.
He added that the next step would involve reflection and understanding what actions will be taken for emergency soil stabilization and recovery strategies for the heritage.
“The Municipal Council, within its capacities, is strongly committed to helping resolve what is, in fact, the recovery of our wonderful kingdom,” he emphasized.
