Hugo Silva told Lusa news agency, in an update provided at 12:00, that there are six active fire fronts near villages such as Soutelinho de Aguiar, Samardã, Guilhado, Sabroso de Aguiar, and Vilela da Cabugueira.
A helicopter is operating in Vilela da Cabugueira because, according to Hugo Silva, this is currently the “most critical point,” as it is a pine forest area with one village below (Sabroso de Aguiar) and another above (Vilela da Cabugueira).
The commander considers the resources “very insufficient” for the number of fires, stating that reinforcements have been requested several times but are not available.
Hugo Silva mentioned that with the available number of personnel, it is difficult to implement a combat strategy. “We’re chasing after the damage,” he said, explaining that men are positioned closer to localities, prioritizing people and property.
Although there is a decrease in wind today, the increase in temperature and decrease in humidity are concerns during the day.
João Machado, who lives in Vilela da Cabugueira, told Lusa that the population has been anxious for “many hours” because of the fire raging in the pine forest below the village. He expressed relief when he saw the helicopter arrive, as it “almost managed to extinguish” this front in a short time.
The fire has spread from Vila Pouca de Aguiar to Vila Real, through the areas of Covelo and Samardã, splitting into different fronts being fought by about 80 operatives.
“At this moment, given the dispersion and the hot spots that exist, it’s an insufficient number, but it’s also the possible number,” said Orlando Matos, commander of the Cruz Branca firefighters.
The fire has spread through Samardã, Fojo do Lobo, Vilarinho da Samardã, São Bento, and Covelo.
Due to the fires, there are constraints on some sections of the National Road 2 (EN2) that crosses the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar.
