According to the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), 3,374 personnel and 1,123 land vehicles were deployed to tackle the seven largest ongoing wildfires.
The Piódão fire in Arganil, Coimbra district, which erupted on Wednesday due to a lightning strike from a dry thunderstorm, had 989 personnel and 335 land resources assigned. It was followed by the Vila Boa fire in Sátão, Viseu, Dão and Lafões region, also starting on Wednesday, which engaged 959 personnel and 316 vehicles.
The Frexes blaze in Trancoso, Beiras and Serra da Estrela region, ignited on August 9, was being fought by 445 personnel and 147 land resources. Meanwhile, the forest fire in Candal, Lousã, Coimbra district, active since Thursday, mobilized 330 personnel and 108 vehicles.
The fire in Poiares, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Douro region, beginning on Friday, involved 287 personnel and 94 land resources, whereas the Pêra do Moço fire in Guarda, also starting on the same day, engaged 235 personnel and 85 vehicles.
Fires scorching scrubland in Aldeia de Sabugal, Sabugal, Guarda district, started on Friday afternoon and were being fought by 129 personnel and 38 land resources.
Three fires were under resolution status: in Sirarelhos, Vila Real, since August 3, still with 146 personnel and 46 vehicles; in Tábua and Pereiro, Tabuaço, Viseu district, starting on the 11th, with 99 personnel and 31 vehicles; and in Tapada do Loureiro, Portalegre, ignited on Thursday, with 117 personnel and 41 vehicles.
The Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR) has been on the highest state of readiness, level four, since August 11, with district emergency and civil protection plans active in Viseu and Coimbra, and municipal plans in Trancoso, Oliveira do Hospital, Arganil, Aguiar da Beira, Sátão, Sernancelhe, Seia, Pampilhosa da Serra, Tábua, and Góis.
Faced with the declared alert situation, ANEPC underscored the prohibition of access and transit in forest areas, conducting burns and fires, suspension of issued work authorizations using machinery in forest areas, and the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnics.
