The fire that started in the hills of Monchique officially has been categorised as 'overcome,' according to the National Authority for Civil Protection on Friday evening.
Due to the strong winds that are still in evidence, fire crews will remain on duty but fire command said this evening that the battle was over with only a few areas still being dealt with.
The devastating fire, a re-ignition of a fire set deliberately last weekend, has destroyed between 2,000 and 2,500 hectares of forestry and natural vegetation on several fronts in just 48 hours.
The fire spread from the Monchique slopes down to the autodrome and onwards through parts of the neighbouring municipality of Portimão whose council stated on Friday night that it is:
"only fair to recognise the exceptional work of all Civil Protection personnel and of the other entities from various parts of the country that contributed to combat operations, not forgetting the decisive command function that coordinated actions and mobilised the resources needed in this unequal battle."
Portimão councillors had been prepared to initiate the Municipal Emergency Plan for Civil Protection but said the fire service had done such a good job that thankfully this had not been necessary.
The Portimão Council statement read that "in the coming hours there will be continuing consolidation actions which are vital in order to prevent recurrences" adding that ground forces and equipment will stay put for the time being."
Sightseers are asked to stay away from the area as service vehicles are using the roads to transport water and personnel in the aftermath that has left forests destroyed and locals in anger and shock.
Miraculously, despite a handfull of firemfighetrs suffering light injuries, not a single life was lost and the impressive performance by the various teams of voluntary bombeiros has the thanks of everyone - except perhaps the person who started the original fire a week ago who remains in custody awaiting trial.
The autodrome's Pestana hotel and burnt wasteland behind
©BIMERING
