The mayor of Alandroal, João Grilo, stated on Tuesday afternoon that the situation surrounding the wildfire in the municipality remains “very complicated” and is “far from being resolved.”
“It’s still a very complicated situation. The wind is very strong, and there is a lot of combustible material. The operatives are trying to manage, and the aerial means as well,” the mayor said in a statement to RTP.
“Things seemed under control during the afternoon, but there are many reignitions. It’s still a very difficult situation,” added João Grilo.
The mayor confirmed that several people have been evacuated from their homes and urged them to “first try to protect their lives” and “follow the recommendations” of the authorities.
A total of 296 operatives, supported by eight aerial resources and 96 vehicles, were engaged in firefighting efforts at 16:45, according to the official website of Civil Protection.
A source from the Central Alentejo Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command told Lusa agency that a firefighter was treated and considered slightly injured for suffering “a sprain” at the operation site.
The alert for the wildfire, burning in a bushland area near the town of Alandroal, the municipal seat, was given at 09:22.
A GNR source disclosed to Lusa this afternoon that the truck driver suspected of causing the fire has been identified and made an official suspect by the Guard.
The source from the Évora Territorial Command of the GNR indicated that the man, driving a heavy goods vehicle transporting wood, was made a suspect for the crime of forest fire, and the case was forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the same source, a metal piece from one of the trailer straps, used to secure the transported wood, came loose and, upon hitting the ground, caused sparks, which ignited several fire spots in the municipality.
Earlier this morning, the mayor of Alandroal had already revealed to Lusa that the fire originated from a truck tire that ignited, spreading fire spots along National Road 255 (EN255), which connects Alandroal to Reguengos de Monsaraz.
Due to the fire, road traffic was cut off on sections of EN255 between Alandroal and the town of Terena and on National Road 373 (EN373) between the municipal seat and Juromenha.
Various images showing the intensity of the flames are circulating on social media:
