Three fires in the municipalities of Leiria and Batalha are mobilizing more than 300 operatives, and the fire in Andreus is the one that is worrying Civil Protection the most, the sub-regional commander of Leiria told Lusa.
Carlos Guerra said that the fire that broke out at 1:36pm in Reguengo do Fetal, in the municipality of Batalha, is “evolving very favorably” and should “soon enter the resolution phase”.
“We’ve increased the air resources, deploying four heavy aircraft and the fight has progressed well,” said the commander.
According to the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), at 16:03 there were 146 operatives on the scene, supported by 45 vehicles and one aircraft.
The fire in Andreus, in the municipality of Leiria, which started at 13:23, is the one that is causing the most concern. According to Carlos Guerra, the flames are burning in a “place that is very difficult to access”.
“We’ve already reinforced the air resources, removing a quad that was in Reguengo do Fetal. But we’re only fighting this fire with air resources, because the ground resources can’t get there, which worries us,” he said.
The ANEPC website reports that, at 16:03, 182 operatives were on the scene, supported by 53 vehicles and nine aircraft.
Carlos Guerra also told the Lusa news agency that none of the commanders on the ground had informed him of the existence of homes at risk.
Also in the municipality of Leiria, a fire broke out at 14:51, but it is already being dealt with, said the sub-regional commander.
There are still 41 operatives and 12 vehicles at the scene.
