Fires in Castro Daire and Oliveira do Hospital successfully extinguished
Multiple Fires Rage Across Central Portugal
Fires in three different municipalities in the central region of Portugal have been causing concern over the past few days. The latest, in Nelas, Viseu district, has been a significant challenge for firefighters.
The fight against the fire in Nelas has been a tough one, with the majority of the efforts being made on foot and with heavy machinery like bulldozers, to create access for the means to enter. As of Saturday, 106 vehicles were supporting the firefighting efforts.
On Friday night, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) expected an increase in humidity and a decrease in wind to create an "opportunity window" for fighting the fire. However, the fire had already spread to the neighboring municipality and crossed the Mondego River.
The fire in Nelas followed a line of fire of several kilometers that was still to be controlled, even as efforts continued. As of 05:40 on Saturday, 343 operatives were still mobilized for the fire.
The fires in Castro Daire and Oliveira do Hospital, both in different districts, were reported by Lusa on Saturday as well. The fire in Castro Daire started on an unspecified previous day and was brought under control around 05:15. Over a thousand operatives were mobilized for the fires in Castro Daire and Oliveira do Hospital, with 155 vehicles supporting the efforts in Castro Daire.
The fire in Oliveira do Hospital, Coimbra district, started on Friday afternoon and was brought under control just before 03:00. The name of the head of the Viseu Dao Lafoes Sub-regional Command of the ANEPC, who was registered at the time of reporting on the two firefighting operations in Castro Daire and Oliveira do Hospital, is not publicly available.
A spokesperson for the Viseu Dao Lafoes Sub-regional Command of the ANEPC provided information about the fire in Nelas, while a spokesperson for the Coimbra Regional Command of the ANEPC provided information about the Oliveira do Hospital fire.
The president of the Oliveira do Hospital Chamber, Francisco Rolo, provided information about the spread of the fire in Nelas to Lusa at the end of Friday. He expressed concern about the potential impact on the local community and the need for continued vigilance.
As these fires continue to burn, the efforts of firefighters and emergency services remain crucial in containing their spread and protecting the local communities.
