There is no forecast yet as to when the fire at Perna da Negra, in Monchique, will be under control and it is expected that it will "aggravate from the beginning of the afternoon", with more wind and heat.
Vítor Vaz Pinto, commander of the District Relief Operations Command of Faro, made, a few minutes ago, a review of the situation of the fire that started on the afternoon of Friday, August 3rd, and had "an explosive beginning in an area of difficult access".
The fire continues to have two active fronts and the worsening of conditions, from the beginning of the afternoon, promises to give the firefighters no respite. An increase in the intensity of the wind is foreseen, with “sometimes strong gusts”, and the temperature will reach 46 degrees.
According to Vaz Pinto, «we are managing to implement our plan» although there is still no forecast of «when the fire will be dominated».
As for the two active fronts, one, which corresponds to 50% of the fire perimeter, is “controlled” and “is in consolidation work”.
On the other front, 20% of it “is plowing in an inaccessible area and is being fought by aerial means with the help of tracking machines” to open paths for land resources. The other 30% “continue to plow with great intensity, despite giving in to the means”.
In the firefighting area there are 710 operational, supported by 180 vehicles and 11 air assets: two heavy bombers, three medium bombers, 1 heavy bomber helicopter, four light bombers and a reconnaissance and situation assessment plane.
As for the eight operatives who were injured yesterday, "they are already recovered", revealed Vaz Pinto. For now "there is no population in danger". The commander confirmed that "some barracks were affected" by the flames and not a house, as was reported. "Our great concern is the safety of the population and the combatants," he said.
According to Vaz Pinto, the area affected by the fire is already 1000 hectares.
The fire has already led to the removal, as a precaution, of 11 people from the Taipas and Foz do Carvalhoso sites. To Sul Informação, Rui André, mayor of Monchique, revealed that “of these, two stayed at Escola EB 2,3 and one bedridden lady went to Santa Casa da Misericórdia. The rest stayed with relatives», said Rui André.
This fire has also forced the activation of the Monchique Municipal Emergency Plan.
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