Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, requesting support in the form of four Canadair firefighting aircraft to combat the ongoing wildfires. This announcement was made by the national commander of civil protection, Mário Silvestre.
During a briefing at the National Authority for Civil Protection in Carnaxide, Silvestre highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that Portugal is the seventh country to activate this European mechanism. Initially, Portugal relied on bilateral cooperation agreements with Spain and Morocco, with the latter providing two Canadair aircraft, which will remain in Portugal until Monday. Spanish resources were deployed to fight fires in Castelo de Vide and Chaves.
The decision to seek European assistance was driven by unfavorable weather conditions, which hindered nighttime firefighting efforts. Silvestre pointed out that the fire in Lousã, which spread 30 kilometers in just three hours, remains uncontrolled, with a perimeter now stretching 208 kilometers. Overnight, winds reached speeds of up to 70 km/h, exacerbating the situation.
As of 11 AM today, 24 incidents were reported, with 16 occurring overnight. The six most concerning fires have mobilized 2,850 personnel, supported by 960 vehicles and 32 aerial units. Seven support zones have been established for displaced residents, with two in Sátão and five in Piodão.
In terms of casualties, one firefighter was injured, two were hospitalized, and two civilians were also sent to hospitals for treatment.
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