“There is a forecast for wind later in the afternoon. At this moment, we risk a reactivation at any time. That’s why we keep resources in the field. There are difficult-to-access areas where we cannot place personnel,” said the official in an update to RTP, around 13:30.
The fire in Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, which started more than a week ago, was declared under control today at 10:45.
According to Elísio Oliveira, there are 530 operatives on site, supported by 163 vehicles and three aerial resources.
“We do not have any worrying situation at this moment. There is no risk to the populations. Everything is proceeding optimally at this moment. We continue to work in the field,” he summarized.
This fire broke out a week ago and has already consumed over six thousand hectares of the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG).
All municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Viseu, and Castelo Branco are today under maximum fire risk, according to data from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
This alert is extended to almost all municipalities in the districts of Vila Real, Braga, Porto, Santarém, and Faro, while Portalegre has five municipalities under this IPMA alert, the highest risk level for fires.
Continental Portugal entered an alert situation today due to the high fire risk in the coming days, announced the Minister of Internal Administration on Saturday. The alert remains in effect until Thursday.
“Given the worsening weather forecasts indicating a significant risk of rural fires, the Government decided to declare an alert situation across the entire continental territory,” announced Maria Lúcia Amaral in a statement to the nation, with no questions allowed.
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