Increase in arrests of Portugal's arsonists

Portugal’s authorities have detained 128 people so far this year for setting light to forests.

The number of arrests is a welcome 75% increase over 2016, according to the National Civil Protection Authority.

"To September 5th, the authorities handling this matter have detained 128 individuals, a far higher number than in 2016, when 73 were apprehended," said the national operational commander, Rui Esteves, at a press conference on the nation's fires between 29 August and 4 September.

According to Esteves, there were 439 forest fires in the last week, which triggered the mobilisation of 2,605 vehicles and 221 aircraft, with the Castelo Branco and Guarda districts most affected.

For the coming days, Esteves said that temperatures will vary between 28°C and 32°C, causing the fire risk classification to remain as 'high' and 'very high' in the north interior, central and Algarve regions.

See also: FT - Portugal’s fires have exposed "decades of neglect"

and

Portugal's arsonists - 'single, alcoholic, illiterate and unemployed'

Comments  

0 #5 Ron Jackson 2017-09-06 17:39

Time and again we realise that things are just not adding up in this country with its historic centuries of summer fires. Remember that these are 'alleged arrests' and due to 'judicial secrecy' we usually hear very little more. Just the occasional comment of firemen who are paid to put out fires so starting fires as an earner or the mentally deficient.
The Aveiro University study several years ago put the figure as high as 25% who were booked in but then let go with no further mention (because of their connections ?) - not included in the other 30% who were "Released due to lack of evidence". Is this something to do with the orders to local GNR to process those they 'catch' through their local Public Prosecutor? Whereas the non-local PJ Fire specialists prosecute regardless of local connections !

0 #4 The Don 2017-09-06 13:37

Of course its not global warming , just normal behaviour .

0 #3 Jack Reacher 2017-09-06 09:36

People bitch and moan about the state of the planet along with climate change this and weather patterns that. And here we have a clear group of people who are a major problem with no conscience that need to be dealt with in the harshest way possible. The justice system needs to set an example.

0 #2 Peter Booker 2017-09-06 07:47

We shall arrive at a level of increased sophistication when these unfortunate misfits are apprehended before they set the forest fires, not afterwards.

The part of me which values the freedom of citizens is in conflict with that part which says that people convicted of setting summer forest fires should be detained during the following seasons of the risk of forest fire. Until they are considered not to be a lethal risk to society.

+1 #1 dw 2017-09-05 23:28

"The number of arrests is a welcome 75% increase over 2016, according to the National Civil Protection Authority."
Sounds like the demented thinking that arises from working to targets. The increase in arrests may well just be increased in line with the number of fires.

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