Wildfires Erupt in Pedrógão Grande
Two wildfires broke out on Saturday afternoon in Pedrógão Grande, Leiria district, leading to the closure of the IC8 highway, according to a source from the GNR (National Republican Guard). The fires have already reached the municipality of Sertã.
The population of Pedrógão Grande is once again surprised by flames, eight years after the major fires in the municipality. Photo: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images
Details of the Incidents
The first fire alert was issued at 2:30 PM. A source from the GNR Territorial Command in Leiria stated that IC8 was closed around 2:50 PM between Pedrógão Grande and Pedrógão Pequeno.
According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, by 5:05 PM, 391 personnel were battling the first fire, supported by 100 vehicles and 17 aerial means.
A second fire in the same municipality, in the parish of Graça, involved 191 personnel, 51 vehicles, and three aerial means.
The GNR source also confirmed that National Road 2 in the Pedrógão Grande area is closed, along with several secondary roads.
Fires Spread to Sertã
Carlos Guerra, Sub-regional Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection in Leiria, reported that the two fires, which started about an hour apart and are very close to each other, have already reached the neighboring municipality of Sertã in Castelo Branco district.
He stated, "All available means in the area are engaged in firefighting operations, with difficulties increased due to wind. The second fire forced us to split and reposition resources on the operational theater."
Guerra added that resources from the fire that started in Piódão, Arganil municipality, Coimbra district, are being redirected to Pedrógão Grande, and the spread to Sertã has also drawn resources from the Beira Baixa Sub-regional Command of Emergency and Civil Protection.
"Those familiar with this territory know that fires pose a risk to the population, as there are always isolated and scattered villages and houses. Our priority is always the protection of people and property," he emphasized, confirming that there are "homes in the fire line."
Echoes of Past Tragedies
With these two fires, the population of Pedrógão Grande was once again surprised by flames, eight years after the major fires that hit the municipality.
The fires that broke out on June 17, 2017, in Pedrógão Grande and spread to neighboring municipalities resulted in the deaths of 66 people, injuries to 253 residents (seven serious), the destruction of about 500 homes, and 50 businesses.
This year, mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large rural fires since July, primarily in the North and Central regions.
The fires have already caused four deaths, including a firefighter, several injuries (some serious), and the total or partial destruction of primary and secondary homes, agricultural and livestock farms, and forest areas.
Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which it has access to two Fire Boss aircraft, one Super Puma helicopter, and two Canadair aircraft.
According to provisional official data, as of August 23, about 248,000 hectares have burned in the country, with over 57,000 hectares from the fire that started in Arganil alone.
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