Portugal’s fire and emergency services continue their fight against around 1,000 a hundred localized fires mainly in the central and northern regions of the country, in an expected day”complex“and I expect more Spanish troops. However, the drop in temperatures is slightly easing the situation and the fires are beginning to die down.
In total, on the ground There are nearly 4,000 agents, About 1,200 land assets and 25 air assets, according to figures released today by the Portuguese National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC). The European Forest Fire Information System reported on Thursday that fires have been burning in Portugal since January. 139,000 hectares, 106,000 hectaresMost of them burned over the past four days, starting Sunday.
8 Canadair amphibious aircraft received under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism are collaborating in the operations. Spainfrom France and Italy, in addition to two other planes from Morocco.
In addition, this Wednesday, more than 200 soldiers from the Spanish Military Emergency Unit arrived, to which another 130 soldiers will be added this Thursday, as well as a brigade with a helicopter and 17 operatives, without the Portuguese authorities having confirmed which body would proceed. In fact, the 248 soldiers of the EMU managed in their first hours on the ground to prevent the flames from reaching the villages of Ladreda and Cobertinha, in the municipality of São Pedro do Sul, district of Viseu (central region).
A complex 24 hours
At a press conference last night, ANEPC national commander André Fernandes warned that the next 24 hours “vwill remain very complex”, with “very active” fires and with “a lot of intensity and energy.” This wave of fires has so far claimed around 150 victims, of whom seven have died and 12 have been seriously injured.
ANEPC said it is focusing on fighting the flames and still does not have data on the number of hectares that have burned since the weekend, when the fires began to spread. However, it is expected that this Thursday will end the weather alert issued by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere due to high temperatures and strong winds, conditions that made it difficult for the troops to work.
Smoke is seen in Galicia
Smoke from the fires affect arrived in Portugal this Wednesday Galicia and cities like Vigo That is why they woke up with the sky overcast. The sun appears reddish behind the smoke, which is high, although the smell is slightly perceptible in the most populated city of the autonomous community.
