The national commander of Emergency and Civil Protection, Mário Silvestre, highlighted that the decrease in the number of fires overnight has contributed to a “much more stable situation” today.
Silvestre addressed the media during the daily briefing of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) concerning rural fires in mainland Portugal.
Regarding the fire in Ponte da Barca, affecting the Peneda-Gerês National Park and now stabilized, Silvestre stated that an additional week is necessary for consolidation and monitoring efforts due to the “extremely rugged” terrain, which poses significant challenges for firefighting teams’ progress.
According to ANEPC, as of 5:00 PM today, there were 61 active fires, while 53 were in resolution or concluded.
Today, three firefighters and a technician from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forestry were injured, with seven people taken to the hospital. All have since been discharged.
The national commander urged the public to support forest defense efforts, especially with forecasts predicting an increase in heat from Sunday.
