More than 1,300 personnel were on the ground around 7 a.m. today, battling fires that broke out in Arouca, Ponte da Barca, and Penamacor, according to Civil Protection authorities.
The fire in Arouca, located in the Aveiro district, engaged 567 personnel and 178 vehicles at that time.
The village of Fornos de Carvão is being evacuated, according to a source from the Sub-regional Command of the Porto Metropolitan Area.
In Penamacor, within the Castelo Branco district, efforts are reported to be progressing favorably, as indicated by the Sub-regional Command of Beira Baixa.
There are 394 personnel in the area, supported by 139 vehicles, combating the fire on two active fronts. One front is said to be 70% contained, added the source.
In Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo district, 390 personnel are fighting the fire with the help of 129 vehicles. Of the three sectors involved in the efforts, two are already undergoing “consolidation maneuvers,” stated the sub-regional commander of Vale do Ave from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority around 4 a.m.
Rui Costa also noted that “all communities are safe in their localities.”
According to information from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority’s portal, 164 personnel are still combating a fire in Mangualde.
[News updated at 7:30 a.m. with the number of personnel and vehicles]
