Monchique fire destroys 1,800 hectares - firefighters continue to tackle the blaze

Paul Rees 09 September 2016

bombeiros The number of firefighters involved in tackling the fire that has swept from the Monchique hills towards Portimão has risen to 668 with 216 vehicles and 8 aircraft attacking the blaze on several fronts.

Some inaccessible land has been left to burn as firefighter command concentrates on areas where a difference can be made and where property is threatened.

Commander Abel Gomes said that "the strong wind and difficult access remain the major obstacles in fighting this fire."

Monchique mayor, Rui André, said that "about 1,800 hectares have been destroyed since the fire started in Fóia last weekend and reignited on Thursday."

Last Saturday and Sunday, the fire consumed a total of 403 hectares. The total area now burned is some four times this original estimate.

Firefighting command is grateful to the army, deployed in areas where the fire has been put out, to check there are no reoccurrences.

After 52 people were evacuated from their homes by midday on Friday there has been no further displacement as the fire is active in unpopulated areas.

There was a fire at midday today in Almancil but this was put out quickly. An area of cork oak forest was damaged but the blaze was quelled after two hours.

Air support for the Monchique fire again will be grounded this evening while exhausted firefighting teams continue to tackle a fire that has the added attribute of having been started deliberately.

Much of the Algarve's population has been shocked by the severity and spread of the fire, responding by delivering essential supplies to fire stations across the region. This support is encouraged and social media has been doing a good job in organising drop-off points and keeping readers abreast of news.

Comments

+2 #5 Peter Booker 2016-09-12 10:47

I agree with Felipe on points one and three. But the destruction of the water table - in the Algarve at any rate - could also be laid at the door of the 40 or so golf courses. And fire hazard or not, in many parts of the country, the eucalyptus is a cash crop.

+1 #4 Margaridaana 2016-09-10 13:28

Felipe is right, these arsonists should be tried AND CONVICTED AND PUNISHED for manslaughter.
How about hanging them by their 'tomatoes' and slow roasting them over their own fire!

0 #3 Virjinie 2016-09-10 12:52

Wonderful bombeiros, wonderful volunteers!
My heart truly bleeds for the benighted people who have lost their homes, possessions and crops - yet again. Also for the animals, birds and reptiles, etc.
Were the Portuguese air force involved this time?
:cry:

+6 #2 Felipe Pereira 2016-09-10 10:16

1. Arsonists should be tried for attempted murder.
2. Portugal must ban the growing of Eucalyptus/Blue Gum trees which are both a fire hazard and destroy the water table.
3. The stoic Bombeiros deserve more support. Obrigado Bombeiros !

+3 #1 Maximillian 2016-09-09 20:54

There is a group coordinating support, and it is in direct communications with Bombeiros at the fire station who have been very grateful for their efforts throughout this period of wild fires. People across the Algarve are donating bottles of water, socks, fruit and high energy drinks and snacks. The supplies are taken by volunteers directly to the brave Bombeiros fighting the fire. As it is important that people don’t go near the fire and hamper the fire services, they are arranging pick up points along the Algarve. Photos and videos of the situation, filmed by people living in the area can be seen on their FB group “Alerta de incêndio florestal / Forest Fire Alert!” which is an on the ground initiative by local expat residents to support the bombeiros and provide live information on the developments and progress of fires. Everyone is working very hard together to do what they can to help. Local people have been evacuating their animals and have themselves been evacuated. There is no danger to any towns on the coast at the moment, or widely populated areas, although there has been smoke and ash falling on homes near the fires.

All the information needed is on the FB group here if you would like to help, or be kept updated of the situation:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/188450517987882/643675455798717/?notif_t=group_activity¬if_id=1473347286394102

There is a Paypal account for donations: Bombeirosalgarve