The fire, which has been raging since Saturday evening in the Serra do Marão, has two active fronts in areas “hard to reach” but does not threaten the population, Vila Real’s second civil protection operational commander told Lusa.
“We still have two fronts on the ground, they are burning with some intensity because they are moving into hard-to-reach areas,” Arthur Mota told Lusa around 12:00.
According to the second operational commander of the district (CODIS), the fire does not endanger the population or homes, since it occurs “only in the mountains, in the highest part of the Serra do Marao”, close to the wind turbines, already close to Porto.
The official said the site has “personnel working with hand tools”, “hose piping” and air assets “performing dumps to ensure personnel are on the ground.”
According to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), the fire in Campea parish, Vila Real municipality, broke out on Saturday at 22:37.
By 13:00, according to the ANEPC website, 142 operatives were fighting this fire with the support of 42 ground and four air assets.
Arthur Mota felt that the fire “doesn’t burn as hard” but warned that the wind could exacerbate difficulties in the afternoon.
“This may be our betrayal, because if the wind does not spoil our service, nothing will get out of control from the very beginning,” he predicted.
According to ANEPC, the fire broke out in a forested area (a forest area of at least 0.5 hectares and more than 10% coverage).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
