The Monchique fire continues to have two uncontrolled fronts, one advancing towards São Marcos da Serra, in the municipality of Silves, the other descending from Caldas de Monchique, even entering the municipality of Portimão.
During the night, several localities and places were evacuated, namely Caldas de Monchique, the urbanization of Montinho, the MacDonald hotel, Barranco do Banho, Monchicão (next to the Odelouca river).
Further down, in the municipality of Portimão, the populations of the area of Vale Boi and Rasmalho were removed, as the flames followed along the road between Monchique and Portimão.
Most of the displaced people were taken to the EB 2,3 School in Monchique, while others stayed with relatives. At the moment, there are still no conditions for the populations to return home.
On the perimeter of the village, there are people who are managing to return to their homes, to see the damage and make the aftermath of the action of the flames themselves.
The access roads to Monchique are almost all cut, either on the side of São Marcos da Serra and Alferce, or on the side of Portimão.
This Sunday night, August 5, 24 people were injured. One of them is an elderly woman, aged 72, who is in serious condition and had to be evacuated by helicopter to Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.
In total, 40 people, 12 civilians and 28 civil protection agents were assisted, mostly through inhalation of smoke.
According to the Civil Protection website, at the moment the fire is being fought by 1078 operational personnel, supported by 324 vehicles and eight air vehicles that have already started to return to action in the early morning. However, the very intense smoke is hampering the action of helicopters and planes.
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