The fire that has been raging since yesterday (Wednesday) in the municipality of Odemira, Beja, has already reached Monchique and is threatening to spread to the municipality of Silves. Fighting the flames are hundreds of firefighters.
At least 17 people were removed from their homes, for prevention, in the three municipalities. The fire maintains two active fronts, but combat has been hampered by the wind and the lack of land access.
"The fire has already reached part of the municipality of Monchique and fire crews are working to ensure that the fire does not enter the municipality of Silves. There is no guarantee that this will not happen, but they are working towards it", said the commander Pedro Araújo, from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority.
The official also stated that "there is, at this moment, no forecast of the need" to remove any more people, other than the 17 people already evacuated, from the areas threatened by the fire. Two people have been injured, one a civilian who was in a serious condition with airway burns, and a firefighter who suffered a sprain.
During the night, the GNR closed the municipal road EN266, in Monchique, only allowing the circulation of emergency vehicles.
More than 650 workers are involved in firefighting this single fire, supported by 231 vehicles and 12 crawler machines. "It is a fire that is favoured by the wind that is felt in the place, but also following the topography in this area of the territory", a "mountainous area, with difficult access", explained the commander. "In some segments of the fire, there is no accesses to terrestrial resources," he added. The use of air resources resumed this morning, to help fight the flames.
Original article available in Portuguese at http://postal.pt/
