Minister Dismisses Concerns Over Aerial Firefighting Resources as "Irrelevant" Amidst Wildfire Crisis

Maria Lúcia Amaral, the Minister of Internal Administration, downplayed the shortage of aerial means in fighting the wildfires, arguing that the real challenges lie in the difficult access to the fire fronts. This statement came after a tense exchange with journalists, where she revealed her unannounced visit to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) headquarters in Carnaxide, Oeiras, to get updates on the wildfire situation.

During her visit, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Amaral emphasized that the number of aerial resources is not the main issue, stating, "We have 75 aerial means, or a bit more. Immediately available, we have 72. It's crucial to understand that intervening in these circumstances requires knowledge." She praised the efforts and risks taken by the firefighters and operatives on the ground.

The minister pointed out that the complexity of the operations and the challenging terrain make the intervention of aerial means less effective. "The intervention of aerial means would be irrelevant," she said, highlighting the difficulties posed by the rugged orography and access problems to the fire fronts.

When questioned about the failures in combating the fires, Amaral responded, "We didn't want this to happen in our country, just as we didn't want it to happen in Southern Europe." She mentioned the 3 or 4 major fire outbreaks and over 125 occurrences across the country, stressing that it's a collective problem that requires everyone's contribution.

Amaral also addressed the issue of arson, noting over 41 ignitions between 1 AM and 8 AM, some due to negligence. She called for investigations and punishments but also acknowledged that not all ignitions are criminal, mentioning "ancestral practices" that complicate the firefighters' work.

Earlier, the minister had shown irritation when announcing her visit to the ANEPC headquarters, revealing that the authorities learned about the visit through the media. "We are informed about the situation, but we decided to go to the Civil Protection headquarters, and I ask you, as a courtesy to the Civil Protection officials, who just found out about our visit this way, to excuse me so they can prepare," she said.

The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, also spoke at the ANEPC headquarters, acknowledging the complex period Portugal is facing with the wildfires. He assured that all resources are on high alert to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible, emphasizing that "this is a fight for everyone" and urging the public to follow the authorities' guidelines.