A severe wildfire that originated in São Cibrão, Vila Real, has intensified as it spread to Sabrosa, causing significant concern among local authorities. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries during the firefighting efforts, with two suffering burns due to a sudden wind change and another experiencing heat shock and smoke inhalation. All have been treated and are recovering.
Evacuations were carried out as a precautionary measure, with residents from the São Martinho de Anta nursing home relocated to the Mercado dos Produtos Durienses in Sabrosa. The fire has prompted a massive response, with 290 operational personnel, 92 vehicles, and three tracked machines deployed to combat the blaze. The strategy focuses on protecting populations and buildings before aggressively tackling the fire fronts to reduce intensity and achieve extinguishment.
The fire has split into two active fronts, with the villages of Anta and Garganta under particular threat. Residents of Garganta were gathered in the village center for safety as the fire advanced towards other localities like São Martinho de Anta and Arcã. The national emergency and civil protection authority reported 304 operational personnel and 96 vehicles mobilized by 21:58 to fight the fire, which was first reported at 14:23 in São Cibrão.
In related news, a wildfire in Ponte da Barca, active since last Saturday, continues to burn, though no villages are currently at risk. Portugal's mainland is set to enter an alert status from Sunday to Thursday due to the high risk of wildfires, as announced by the Minister of Internal Administration.
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