A statement signed by Commander Hernâni Carvalho and the president of the humanitarian association, Valentim Santos, reported that two of their operatives were injured in a fire raging in the municipality of Montalegre.
The seriously injured individual was airlifted to Gaia Hospital and is in stable condition, albeit with burns on the lower limbs.
The other firefighter suffered minor injuries and received precautionary treatment at the Basic Emergency Service of Montalegre Health Center.
A third injured individual, the deputy of the Montalegre fire department, was transported to Chaves Hospital.
“We are and will continue to monitor the entire current situation and provide full support for a recovery, which we firmly believe will be swift,” stated the commander and president of the Salto firefighters, a brigade located in Montalegre in the northern district of Vila Real.
They also expressed gratitude for the work and dedication of the remaining Salto corp members and all those involved in this fire.
“Our first words go to the families of our firefighters, with total solidarity, especially to the wives and children—you know how much they love the firefighters, what they give for this cause, the courage they have, and the resilience they always demonstrate, which will not be different now, and we believe this is just a major scare,” they added.
The firefighting efforts in Mourilhe were reinforced, with 178 operatives, 44 vehicles, and 15 vehicles engaged in the operation by 18:30.
The fire is burning in a region of underbrush, pine forest, and chestnut trees, with strong winds and difficult access complicating the efforts to combat the blaze.
