Sweden's Firefighting Aircraft Delayed: A Critical Update on Portugal's Wildfire Battle

Sweden's crucial aid in the form of two Fire Boss aircraft, intended to bolster Portugal's wildfire combat efforts, faces delays. Initially scheduled for Sunday, the arrival has been postponed to Monday due to unforeseen delivery constraints, as confirmed by the Civil Protection authority.

Comandante nacional da Proteção Civil, Mário Silvestre. Photo: ANTÓNIO COTRIM/LUSA

In a late afternoon briefing on the wildfires ravaging mainland Portugal, Mário Silvestre, the national commander of Civil Protection, disclosed the delay. "Due to operational constraints, the European Civil Protection Mechanism has informed us that the aircraft will only arrive on Monday," Silvestre stated at the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) headquarters in Carnaxide, Oeiras.

A Nation Under Fire

The situation remains dire, with ten active wildfires engaging 3,982 firefighters, 1,300 vehicles, and 36 aerial assets. The most concerning blazes are located in Trancoso, Sátão, Piódão, Arganil, Candal (Lousã), Pêra do Moço (Guarda), Poiares (Freixo de Espada à Cinta), Santo António (Sabugal), and Nisa. Despite the challenges, progress is noted in Nisa, Lousada, and Arnoia (Celorico de Basto).

174 aerial missions were executed today, though operations in the Guarda region and northern Portugal were hampered by dense smoke. The Beiras and Serra da Estrela sub-region reported six additional incidents, exacerbating the strain on already stretched resources.

Ongoing Efforts and Appeals

With 46 incidents in the resolution phase, involving 1,139 personnel, 355 vehicles, and 14 aerial means, the focus remains on containment and control. District plans for Viseu and Coimbra, along with municipal plans for several affected areas, have been activated.

The Civil Protection also urges public caution regarding vehicle parking to avoid obstructing emergency response routes, following reports of hindered access for rescue teams.