The government has decided not to extend the state of high alert in the country due to the danger of a strong forest fire, which will cease to operate from 00:00 on Wednesday, the interior minister said today.
“Due to the significant improvement in weather conditions as of Wednesday, we realized that restrictions related to the risk of rural fires could be relaxed, and therefore decided not to extend the high alert after 24:00 tomorrow. [terça-feira]” said Minister José Luis Carneiro at a press conference.
The official spoke at the headquarters of the National Office for Civil Protection (ANEPC), where he justified the decision by returning from Wednesday to the “usual summer scenario, despite the known scenario of severe drought and extreme drought.”
However, he stressed that “the situation still requires special attention” which is why the ANEPC is keeping the country on “orange alert” in 16 districts on Tuesday and five districts on Wednesday.
According to the minister, the orange warning will concern “especially the northern and central regions” of the country.
José Luis Carneiro also added that the National Republican Guard’s (GNR) 300 daily patrols will remain in “patrol and inspection functions” responsible for coordinating with “another 300 patrols that bring together various external organizations” such as municipalities, he said. . . .
“That is, enhanced containment patrols will continue,” the minister said.
He added that ANEPC will pre-position ground and air assets according to the risk in the area and “will maintain, as usual, its daily assessment so that, depending on the needs and changes in weather forecasts, it can adapt and adjust the response to the needs that can be diagnosed and derived from conditions on the ground.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
