This Saturday, the Interior Minister insisted on the need for the Portuguese to adopt a “responsible attitude and behavior” to prevent fires, and said that more than 50% of the circumstances that caused the fires were due to negligence.
“More than 50% of the fires that have occurred so far have their origin, their causes, according to estimates, negligence, that is […] behavior that does not meet the standards of requirements and liability that have been set by the National Office for Emergency Situations and Civil Protection (ANEPC), said José Luis Carneiro at a press conference.
At a press conference held at the ANEPC headquarters in Carnachid, in the municipality of Oeiras (Lisbon), the Minister of the Interior also announced that the government had decided to declare a state of emergency from Monday to Friday, in view of the forecast for a worsening situation. meteorological conditions associated with a high fire hazard, with a combination of factors such as drought in the country, very low levels of humidity and wind forecasts of various directions, in addition to very hot nights.
The minister has insisted on several occasions that “the most important thing” that he can convey to “any and every Portuguese” has to do with conduct and the need for responsible attitude and behaviour.
“Rejecting the use of fire and machinery in agricultural or forestry work is the most important contribution that Portuguese firefighters can and will make to our collective security,” he repeated.
José Luis Carneiro recalled that there are also criminal reasons, adding that 47 people have already been arrested for fire-related crimes this year, while only 29 people were arrested in the same period last year.
In addition, 356 suspects had been identified by this time last year, and 518 suspects so far this year, he said, stressing that “the authorities are fulfilling their inspection duties.”
An hour before the interior minister’s press conference, also at the ANEPC headquarters, the national commander for emergencies and civil protection expressed concern about the ongoing wildfires in the districts of Bragança, Santarém and Leiria, warning that overnight weather forecasts were not conducive to the fight with flame.
“The expected weather conditions for the night do not leave us much room for maneuver. […]. This is a night with winds of some intensity from the east quadrant, very low relative humidity and minimum temperatures above 25°, which will not make the fight any easier,” warned André Fernandes.
A total of 125 fires have been registered in the country in the past 24 hours, the official said, surpassing the record announced this Saturday afternoon at 121.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
