the fire which broke out yesterday, around 13:00, on the João Martins farm, in the parish of Sabóia, in Odemira, is still active, "but the percentage that is dominated is increasing", said Carlos Pica, district operational commander of Beja, in the situation to journalists, made today to early afternoon.
For the official, controlling this fire is a “work of patience”, since “the safety of the operatives is always put first. We are taking short but safe steps», he guaranteed.
Carlos Pica added that, during the night, "there was intense work by the operatives, helped by the tracking machines" which allowed "to contain some very complicated sectors." For this, "the very significant air humidity of 80%" also contributed.
Of the five sectors of the fire, there are two assets, one of them «contained within a certain space between water lines» and the other «giving up to the means». There is also a third sector that is «15% active». As for the remaining two, one is dominated and the other is under surveillance, said Carlos Pica.
According to the commander, 17 preventive evacuations were carried out, and people have already returned home. Carlos Pica does not foresee that it will be necessary to evacuate anyone else, since «the area that is burning does not have any housing nearby, which allows us to direct our attention to direct fire fighting».
Even so, the official says that the operatives cannot “lower their guard, since a spark that leaves there could fall 500 or 600 meters away, as happened yesterday. Projections limit and condition the strategy».
For now, the perimeter of the fire is located only in the municipality of Odemira, and «there were no significant situations in the district of Faro».
Carlos Pica also revealed that the 20-year-old, who was hurt yesterday, suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns on 40% of his body, which makes him a serious wound.
There was also one person assisted and three minor injuries, "with sprains and ill-feeling".
With regard to the damage caused by the fire, José Alberto Guerreiro, mayor of Odemira, considered that “it is still too early to take stock, but we have already identified damages. Pine forest, cork oak and eucalyptus forests burned” and also “beehives and areas of arbutus. There were agricultural projects in this area that got lost. So far, we have no known situations of affected cattle, but the survey is ongoing».
The mayor also explained that in the parish of Sabóia «the forest is essential and this economy predominates here, affecting many people».
As far as housing is concerned, there is no damage to register, "only two annexes, without great expression", revealed José Alberto Guerreiro.
In the fight against the flames there are 694 operational, supported by 233 vehicles, four helicopters and six planes.
EN266 is still cut off.
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