A wildfire that broke out on Tuesday, 23 June, in the parish of Ameixial, part of the municipality of Loulé, continues to burn on two active fronts, threatening an area of scattered homes and the outskirts of the village. However, no evacuations have yet been ordered at the time of publication, according to Portugal's Civil Protection authorities.
"The fire remains active and is burning with considerable intensity. We still have two fronts advancing through scrubland and pine forest in an area with many isolated properties, but at this stage we have no information indicating that it has been necessary to evacuate either homes or local communities," a spokesperson for the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command told press.
The same official confirmed that there had been no need to evacuate a care home in Ameixial, where residents remain "sheltered in place and safe".
"All the necessary safety measures have been put in place and the residents remain inside the facility in complete safety," the spokesperson said, stressing that "there has been no need to carry out an evacuation".
A total of 201 firefighters and emergency personnel are battling the blaze, supported by 65 ground vehicles, nine aircraft and 10 bulldozers, Civil Protection said.
Strong winds continue to hamper firefighting efforts, alongside overhead power lines that are preventing aircraft from operating in certain areas.
"The wind, with powerful gusts, has been carrying embers over long distances, creating further difficulties in bringing the fire fronts under control," the spokesperson explained.
The National Road 2 (EN2) remains closed in both directions to protect local residents and allow emergency vehicles to move more freely.
Civil Protection also confirmed that one property near the road had been affected by the fire. Although fully furnished, the house was unoccupied.
"Two rooms were damaged by the fire. It is believed that an ember entered through the roof, as the fire spread from the inside out. However, it was brought under control quickly, and it is the only property that has been affected by the wildfire," the spokesperson said.
The fire broke out on Tuesday morning in the area of Besteiros, within the parish of Ameixial, in the municipality of Loulé.
The alarm was raised at 10:49am local time, and the EN2 has been closed as a precautionary measure since 11:25am.
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: SIC
