Generalized fire outbreaks, resulting from relights, but also from fire projections, adverse weather conditions and very, very tired of those who have been in the field for days.
The approximately 1100 operatives who are fighting the fire that started four days ago in Monchique are facing "a hard night and a lot of work", anticipated, this Monday at the end of the afternoon, Abel Gomes, second district operational commander of the Civil Protection of Faro, on one briefing held at the EB 2,3 School in Monchique.
At around 20:00 pm, the most worrying situations were the fronts that worked on the slope of Foia, next to the Odelouca Dam and the Centro Cinegético de Silves and at Sítio da Cascalheira, in Monchique. But, at that time, the fire was also being fought at other points, namely near the MacDonald Resort hotel, in Caldas de Monchique.
This Monday, admitted Abel Gomes, was "a very difficult day" for those who were in the field. The hope of being able to control a fire that had already destroyed houses and caused 29 injuries faded as the day progressed.
In the morning, civil protection guaranteed to have 95% of the fire under control. Even so, recalled Abel Gomes, he was told, at the same time, that there were "very sensitive areas, hot spots, which were not yet consolidated."
It was precisely in these hot spots that the fire rekindled and "very intensely". With the increase in wind intensity, more evident from the afternoon onwards, there were also fire projections, which complicated the combat strategy that was outlined.
This meant that, once again, the population had to be evacuated from some places, namely from the three areas where the fire is most worrying, but also “in other small settlements”.
“The situation remains very complex. This is a huge fire», summarized Abel Gomes.
And if the day was difficult, the night promises not to be easy. “The weather picture is not favorable. The minimum temperatures forecast will not be much below those that occurred during the day and the relative humidity will be low”, he anticipated.
The day also increased the number of wounded, which rose to 29, when in the morning it settled at 25, one of whom was in serious condition. The four new victims suffered, in all cases, minor injuries.
As for the possibility of missing people - and eventually dead -, advanced by the mayor of Monchique Rui André, Abel Gomes said he does not have any information in this regard, despite admitting this hypothesis.
The second district operational commander also said he was not in a position to make an account of how many first-rate homes were destroyed by the flames. «We know that there was destruction of buildings, but not of what kind. In this combat phase, it is not our concern to make this assessment. It will be done later».
Photos: Golden Gonçalo|Sul Informação
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