The festivities in Piódão, organized by the Comissão de Melhoramentos do Piódão, which are usually well-attended by local residents and visitors from neighboring villages and abroad, were expected to continue until Sunday.
However, logistical constraints, such as service providers and visitors being unable to travel due to road closures or the fear of wildfire reignitions, led the organizers to cancel the event.
“We are canceling because there are no conditions. We were supposed to pick up the stage yesterday [Wednesday] from the municipality, but we couldn’t do it, and today we also couldn’t arrange it. There is a whole logistical part yet to be done, and we won’t have time. Additionally, there is a growing concern about reignitions; the festivities are not compatible with this situation [the wildfire],” Elsa Lopes, the president of the Comissão de Melhoramentos do Piódão, told Agência Lusa.
Despite the flames that started early Wednesday morning in the Piódão parish remaining active in other parts of Arganil and neighboring municipalities, there were “various opinions” from the community, some advocating to continue the event while others favoring cancellation.
“It’s difficult to decide. But considering everything, the plans, and increased concerns, the most prudent decision is not to proceed. Roads are closed today, and we don’t know if they will remain closed tomorrow [Friday], making logistics impossible,” reiterated Elsa Lopes, who was born and resides in Lisbon, though she visits Piódão, her family’s hometown, several times a year.
The extensive festival program included musical entertainment, stalls and a charity fair in the main square of Piódão, a community gathering dinner on Friday, traditional games, an old-fashioned sack race, a walk around the village in an area now burned, or a Mass and candlelit procession, among other activities.
José Lopes, president of the Junta de Freguesia do Piódão, also spoke to Lusa and expressed that the festival should continue, albeit with a more limited program. He noted differing opinions within the organizing committee, with varying perspectives between younger and older members.
“It could be a way for people to find some joy and forget this tragedy that devastated our parish’s forest heritage. But I understand the decision not to proceed, given the many constraints, people leaving, others canceling their visits, and numerous road closures,” admitted José Lopes.
“People wanting to come through Vide (Seia, Guarda) cannot pass, from Aldeia das Dez (Oliveira do Hospital) cannot pass either, and through Coja (Arganil) the fire is still active in Mourísia and travel is not possible; it’s not easy,” explained the local leader.
José Lopes further revealed that the forest landscape of Piódão is nearly completely, about 98%, charred, with flames still active near the village of Malhada Chã, in a deep valley on the eastern edge of the parish and Arganil municipality, bordering the municipalities of Pampilhosa da Serra (Coimbra) and Covilhã (Castelo Branco).
According to the website of the Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil, as of 16:15, the Arganil fire was being fought by 855 operatives, supported by 288 vehicles and four aerial units.
