Eight people, some with reduced mobility, were removed from their homes this morning, in the Casais area, in the Serra de Monchique, as a precaution, due to the fire that was reactivated yesterday, at 19:57 pm, in a «very explosive» manner, revealed Vaz Pinto, district operational commander of the Algarve.
The flames, which last night progressed very quickly due to the strong wind that was being felt, have two fronts, divided into four active sectors, added the same source.
Commander Vaz Pinto added that 40% of the fire's perimeter is already consolidated, but the affected area has "difficult access, with a lot of rocks and steep slopes", making it difficult for the tracking machines and the progression of the firefighters' land resources.
Despite the fire having advanced, during the night and at dawn, in an area with a lot of scattered housing, Vaz Pinto guaranteed that «no housing was consumed by the flames», although «ruins and uninhabited houses» were affected, as can be seen in the photos .
This morning, while awaiting the entry into action of air resources, the flames are being fought by 351 operatives, supported by 116 technical means, including vehicles and track machines. There are firefighters from all over the Algarve involved in the operation, and reinforcement groups from other parts of the country have already been activated.
Meanwhile, in Caldas de Monchique, at 6:17 am this Thursday, September 8th, a new fire broke out, which was immediately fought by six operatives, with two vehicles, and is already in the process of being resolved.
The fire that is now raging in the Casais area is the same one that started on Saturday on the northern slope of the Serra de Monchique, in the Fóia area, and which was judged to have been under control 26 hours later.
The flames have destroyed both eucalyptus forest stands and areas with bushes, cork oaks and other trees, agricultural areas and orchards in production or abandoned, particularly on slopes with flowerbeds (terraces).
In the city of Portimão, more than ten and a half kilometers from the flame fronts, there is an intense smell of smoke.
Photos: Nelson Inácio |Sul Informação
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