Portugal’s dry conditions have contributed to dozens of serious fires, the worst of which is still blazing across Serra da Estrela national park tonight, Tuesday.
Over 400 firemen are trying to tackle the blaze which started on Monday afternoon but have had no lasting success.
According to the National Civil Protection Authority, the Serra da Estrela fire started at 14:46 on Monday, in the countryside at Senhora do Monte in Gouveia and had spread into the Manteigas council area by the end of the day. On Tuesday evening there were nine active fires registered on the authority's website, 17 council areas on maximum alert, and an estimated 6,000 firemen working to douse the flames.
Outbreaks in areas that already had been dealth with, poor access to the fire and the wind which regularly is changing direction, all are hindering the actions of the firemen battling the blaze in Serra da Estrela, according to the District Command of Relief Operations.
"There are villages threatened" by the flames as the exhausted firemen again work into the night.
Fires in the Algarve have been dealt with swiftly with fire chiefs keenly aware of the negative publicity caused in by the extensive destruction of the countryside’s trees and crops.
This year's summer fires mostly have been in the north and centre of the country and the police report that most may have been set deliberately in acts of insane stupidity for which convictions are scarce.
According to Portugal’s weather service, 79% of the country is facing a “severe to extreme drought.” The current fire risk is at the highest level for 16 year across the country with the hot weather predicted to remain for weeks ahead.
In 2003, 2005 and 2013, ill-equipped firemen were unable to combat many fires in Portugal which then ran out of control.
Until Monday’s fire in Serra da Estrela, better resourced fire teams have managed to quell the flames of hundreds of outbreaks within 24 hours.
For a news report from tvi24, click here:
http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/sociedade/incendios/chamas-de-gouveia-alastram-a-manteigas
See also: http://www.algarvedailynews.com/features/travel/6352-fire-safety-in-rural-areas-for-tourists
