Monchique Rural Fire 3rd August 2018
Major incident created 3rd August 2018
SITUATION 12TH AUGUST 2018 08.00 HRS
The fire has now been downgraded to “CONCLUSION” stage. This means that it “has been extinguished but there are still small pockets of combustion within the perimeter of what was the fire area”
Current strategy is pre-positioning of ground forces to tackle any re-ignitions quickly.
All main roads open but small undesignated roads may be closed due to fire damage
Number of personnel deployed is 1005 supported by 336 vehicles.
SAFETY ADVICE
• Visiting the towns – no problem, roads open. Towns are virtually business as usual. Including public transportation services.
• Check your hotel booking in Monchique to see if hotel is open
• DO NOT enter burned areas, especially minor roads as these may not be safe.
• FIRE RISK EXTREME – Temperature is rising, humidity decreasing and moderate wind – NO lighting fires, smoking, or camp fires, or cooking on stoves in rural public areas. ZERO tolerance.
• Very safe to visit Algarve, but monitor fire risk in English whilst here.
The following contact numbers are available to help those in need.
FIRE RISK IN ENGLISH: http://www.ipma.pt/en/ambiente/risco.incendio/index.jsp
TRAVEL ADVICE:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal
Road Traffic: call (+351) 808 201 855
Health issues: call (+351) 808 24 24 24
Social emergency: call (+351) 144
Animal safety and rescue – monchique@dgav.pt
Donation enquiries https://algarvefire.info/
SITREP – SATURDAY – 11TH AUGUST 09,00 HRS –
The situation regarding the fires remains that it has been dominated and remains at a resolution stage primarily to deal with any re-ignitions.
A total of 1157 personnel still deployed with 373 support vehicles and just one helicopter, given the improved situation.
Main roads to Monchique are open.
The following contact numbers are available to help those in need.
Road Traffic: call (+351) 808 201 855
Health issues: call (+351) 808 24 24 24
Social emergency: call (+351) 144
Safe Communities will be on KissFM radio on Solid Gold Sunday at our Crimecheck spot at: 0915 hrs on Sunday 12th August to give an update on the situation.
UPDATE 08.00 HRS SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST
The Fire is still at a Resolution state (not yet at a conclusion stage) Totla 1157 personnel supported by 373 operative deployed
LAST UPDATE 17.00 hrs 10TH AUGUST
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will visit this Saturday the areas affected by the Monchique fire.
The prime minister arrived at Monchique today to meet with the presidents of the Presidents of Monchique, Silves and Portimão. António Costa stated he will “take stock of the situation and see what response has to be given”, ensuring that “the priority now is to rebuild”.
Before joining the meeting, the prime minister spoke with the journalists and defended the work of Civil Protection and security forces, in particular as regards the evacuation of localities.
“The priority of priorities is the safeguarding of human life. There fact there was no loss of life is absolutely extraordinary, “he said.
As for what could have gone wrong, António Costa said that everything will be investigated and that it is “normal” to have inquiries and evaluations for “occurrences of this dimension”.
For his part, António Costa also revealed that, in total, 17 houses were destroyed, 13 in the parish of Alferce and 4 in Monchique. There are also ‘eleven people, five households, who are unable to return to their homes because they have been damaged’.
Read more details including access and road situation.
UPDATE 10TH AUGUST 0700 hrs
The seven-day fire in the Monchique mountain range has been “globally stabilized” and has no active fronts, said Patrícia Gaspar, second-in-command of the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC). It is still classified as active, however.
The official casualty rate has been updated to 39 the number of injured resulting from the fire of Monchique, in the Algarve, of which 21 are firemen, registering only a serious injury.
As at 0700 hrs on 10th August 1379 operational personnel were deployed supported by 445 vehicles and one aircraft.
A total of 299 people have been displaced from their homes in Monchique, Portimão and Silves, a joint operation with Social Security, the Red Cross, INEM and other autthorities..
Apart 50 homes destroyed in Monchique, there is no news on the total number of properties damaged.
As at last night the fire had consumed approximately 27,000 hectares of land
Despite the fact that there are no fronts, “the fire is still active,” the Deputy National Operational Commander Patricia Gasper stressed “We will keep all the resources on the ground, supported by track machines and all our attention, to consolidate the hard work carried out during the day.
However, some of the people who have been evacuated from their homes have already returned and the others are about to return to their homes.
SITREP – WEDNESDAY 9TH AUGUST – 13.00 HRS
UPDATE 9TH AUGUST – 0700 Hrs.
More than 100 people were evacuated during the night of Wednesday from more than a dozen villages in Silves and are staying overnight in a pavilion of the Escola EB 2,3 João de Deus.
The fire in the municipality of Silves reignited this Wednesday in the early afternoon in some of the areas where it had already passed, due to the intensity of the wind. Several localities were evacuated, such as Enxerim, Pedreira and Cumeada.
At 2245 hrs traffic was cut off at Estrada Nacional (EN) 266 between Portimão and Monchique. Also the 267 roads between Nave and Marmelete and São Marcos and Monchique and in EN124 between Silves and S. Bartolomeu de Messines, according to the authorities.
As at 0800 hrs on 9TH AUGUST a total of 1440 firefighters supported by 467 vehicles were deployed
NEW SITREP WILL BE POSTED LATER THIS MORNING 9TH AUGUST
UPDATE 8TH AUGUST – 22.00 hrs
Information:
Civil Protection has appealed to the population to stay in safe places, admitting that the situation on the ground “is very complex. “We do not expect an easy period,” said the second commander, Patrícia Gaspar.
According to the briefing made around 8:00 pm by her, “it is practically impossible to anticipate the behaviour of the fire and the effects of weather in the theatre of operations.”
The fire today was completely erratic. It was aligned with the force of the wind, sometimes because of the topography, which made it impossible to anticipate,
At times the fire reached a speed superior to 2 kms per hour. “The fire has taken on extreme behaviour.
GNR has been evacuating the village of Enxerim in Silves since 18h45. This village is about 700 meters from the main roundabout of Silves.
READ MORE AND IMPORTANT PROTECTION AND EVACUATION ADVICE HERE.
SITREP – TUESDAY 7 TH AUGUST 2018 – 21.30 hrs – PLEASE SHARE
If you need any information concerning roads that maybe affected by the fires and road c please dial the GNR special number 808 201 855. At present the only roads closed are N266, N267 and M502.
UPDATE 8TH AUGUST 0800 HRS
The fire this morning affects the areas of Enxerim, Pinheiro and Garrado and Pedreira in Silves, after having consumed the slope and the top of the Fóia during the night, even threatening the antennas. There are also active hot spots in Caldas de Monchique and between Couples and Senhora do Verde (Monchique).
The strong wind that was felt all night did not let the firemen take advantage of the low temperature and some nocturnal humidity to put an end to the flames.
During the night, Rui André, the mayor of Monchique, said that a housing area on the hillside of Fóia had to be evacuated, while in Caldas, below, there are still “some hot spots”, where there have been re-settlements.
As for the situation in Silves, where there is a “very difficult front”, the fire evolved during the night in an area of hills behind “a line of settlements”, “with a lot of population”, which, according to Rosa Palma,, reached the towns of Enxerim (which is less than two kms from the entrance of the city), Pedreira and Pinheiro e Garrado.
Meanwhile, a helicopter and two medium-sized Fireboss planes are in action this morning in the Silves area, while he expects the arrival of heavier aircraft, including the Spanish Canadair aircraft, which helped so much yesterday in Portimão, in the Rasmalho area.
Although Silves town is not effected, road cuts in the area inc the N124, plus complexity of the fires east front mean that visiting this area is inadvisable at this time.
Weather conditions by Maria Joao Frada. IPMA – High risk due to strong winds. South Districts in high alert. Wind will continue until Thursday and by Friday slightly calmer. Temperatures will rise
READ IMPORTANT GNR PRECAUTIONS WHEN DRIVING IN SMOKE AFFECTED AREAS AND EVACUATIONS
UPDATE 6th August 2022 – NEARLY 13,000 HECTARES ALREADY BURNED
These are the numbers provided by the territorial mapping, made through the European Union (EU) emergency satellite navigation system Copernicus.
Portugal has sent the European Commission a request for territorial mapping through Copernicus.
The EU’s satellite navigation system Copernicus is a European Earth observation program and is based on a partnership established between Brussels, the European Space Agency and the various Member States.
The main objective of Copernicus is to provide services that allow timely access to accurate and reliable data, information on the environment, civil protection and citizen safety.
5TH AUGUST 2018 23.00 hrs
Civil Protection Commander calls on the population to remain calm and urged people to trust the authorities to safeguard themselves.
At National Headquarters,” the National Civil Protection Authority stated that the main front of the fire that has been spreading for three and a half days in the Sierra de Monchique has reached the Odelouca dam and the firefighters will “be more able to fight it said at a press conference tonight.
UK FCO TRAVEL ADVICE
“A major forest fire in the area of Monchique, in the Algarve has been burning for 3 days. The fire has now reached the town of Monchique, and Portuguese authorities are evacuating affected areas of the town and surrounding areas. If you are in this area, follow the instructions of the Portuguese police and Civil Protection authorities. Civil Protection Portugal can be reached on 800 246 246 or www.prociv.pt. For your own safety, travel to the Monchique area is not advised under any circumstances until cleared by the Portuguese authorities”.
Duarte Costa National Operational Commander was confident that the operators on the ground will have better conditions to fight the fire, not only because of the barrier that the Odelouca dam represents, but also because of the prediction of a change in the weather, the 50% “and lower temperatures.
“I hope we can control this fire during the night, which has been going on for too long,” said the ANPC operational commander.
“Do not panic, listen to the recommendations of the civil protection agents,” advised the ANPC operational commander.
Note: There has been much speculation on social media regarding Monchique. People are advised TO LISTEN TO OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THE AUTHORITIES.
FURTHER UPDATE 1300 HRS 5TH AUGUST
In a briefing at 1230 hrs it was revealed that the earlier decision that was made yesterday to remove the inhabitants of the site of Perna da Negra was timely, as during the night the fire burned about a dozen houses, annexes and agricultural crops, as well as cars.
Some of the vehicles that burned were old campervans and vans that served as home to the foreign community that lived in the area and that yesterday left in time, according to SIC.
However, although one of the fronts of the fire is “dominated”, the other continues to continue with intensity, in areas of difficult access, where even the air means cannot act effectively.
The, the fire has now spread to the neighbouring municipality of Odemira, forcing people to withdraw from the village of Moitinhas, in the parish of S. Tetónio.
The fire in the Sierra de Monchique is being fought by 738 operatives, supported by 186 vehicles and 11 air assets – four helicopters, four medium-sized Fireboss planes, two Canadairs and a reconnaissance aircraft.
UPDATE 20.00 hrs
At a press briefing at 20.00 hrs Commander Vaz Pinto said that one of the fronts “is dominated”, now leading to “extinction and consolidation”.
As for the second front, the “very strong atmospheric instability” that was felt in the middle of the afternoon presented difficulties at one place, which is almost inaccessible even for airplanes and helicopters.
As a precautionary measure, and in order to avoid ‘alarmist situations’, the operational command has decided to withdraw more small settlements that may be in the way of fire, but only’ to safeguard the populations’, ‘long before the fire there. ”
During the night there will be some “windows of opportunity”, which may help the firefighters, now that the day ends, air supplies are withdrawn.” We will re-evaluate the situation at every moment.
PRECAUTIONS
It is not too late to plan self-protection measures. Prepare yourself, and help the Bombeiros with that. Clean and cut with hand tools any vegetation that may affect your house:, make sure your car does not block the route of the Bombeiros.
UPDATE 13.00 hrs
At a briefing held at 1200 hrs Víctor Vaz Pinto, Commander of the Faro District Relief Operations Command, ANPC gave the following overview:
- The fire was in an area with difficult access ‘.
• The fire continues to have two active fronts with a worsening of weather conditions, from early afternoon; an increase in the intensity of the wind is expected, “sometimes with strong gusts”, and the temperature will reach 46 C with 10% humidity.
• We are implementing our plan” although there is still no forecast “when the fire will be dominated”.
• One of the two active fronts, which corresponds to 50% of the perimeter of the fire, is ‘controlled’ and ‘is in consolidation phase’.
• The other front, 20% of it “is in an inaccessible zone and is being fought by air means with the help of track machines” to open roads to the land.
• There are 710 operational personnel, supported by 180 vehicles and 11 air assets: two heavy bombers, three medium bombers, one heavy bomber helicopter, four light bombers and a reconnaissance plane deployed.
• As for the eight operatives who were injured yesterday, they are “recovered,”
• For now there is “no population in danger”. The commander confirmed that “some buildings were affected” by the flames but not a house, as it was reported. “Our great concern is the safety of the population and the combatants,” he said.
• The area affected by the fire is already 1000 hectares
There NO restrictions on travelling or visiting the town of Monchique, but people are advised to avoid visiting the affected area which is about 12 kms to the north of the town.
3rd AUG – 17.00 hrs – One of the two fronts of the fire that broke out at 13.32 hrs on 3rd August in the Perna da Negra area of Monchique is under control, said Rui André, President of Monchique.
The active front is heading south and is consuming a eucalyptus area, belonging to the company Navigator, which “is also engaged in combating the flames, including air support.”
According to Rui André, at the moment, there are no housing at risk. However, the site of the Taipas was evacuated as a precaution, since “the fire was very close,” said Abel Gomes, 2nd Operational Commander of the Civil Protection of Faro in statements to TVI24.
According to the Civil Protection website, at 1645 hrs there are 413 firefighters, 121 vehicles, supported by 9 air units, including two light aircraft (Fireboss) and two medium-sized aircraft. In addition to these, there is also a reconnaissance aircraft operating in this area. The fire has been classified as a Major Occurrence.
UPDATE 3rd Aug – 21.00 hrs
The night will be “very difficult, a lot of work” in the Serra de Monchique, predicts Abel Gomes, commander of Relief Operations of the Algarve. The fire that broke out at the site of Perna da Negra, has two active fronts, one of which now is heading towards the site of Foz do Carvalhoso.
In a press conference Commander Abel Gomes said that if necessary, the inhabitants of this small town will be evacuated. This afternoon, at the site of the Taipas, “half a dozen” people were displaced, but only as a “precautionary measure,” since none of their homes were ever struck by the flames.
Contrary to what has been reported, no housing has burned down, only a few “agricultural barracks” have been affected, he added.
“It will be a difficult task to master this fire, we expect a very complicated night, a lot of work and very demanding,” said the commander Abel Gomes.
The night, he added, will remain very warm, warm, with little wind, but almost without humidity.
In the theatre of operations, 47 C and 14% humidity, which complicates the task of those who have to fight this fire.
In addition, the terrain where the fire of this Friday began and is advancing is “very complicated, with steep slopes and difficulty in access”. For his part, Rui André, President of the Monchique Council, said that, until now, the fire has already consumed 400 hectares, mostly eucalyptus and bush.
UPDATE 4th Aug 0730 hrs
The fire is still active on two fronts.Total of 733 fire fighters, 192 vehicles and 5 aircraft deployed. Municipal Emergency Action plan activated. Reinforcements from Lisbon, Leiria and Beja.
PLEASE DO NOT VENTURE NEAR THE AREA AS AN ONLOOKER AS YOUR ACTIONS COULD DETRACT FIREFIGHTERS FROM THEIR IMPORTANT WORK.. ROADS ARE NARROW IN THE AREA AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THEY ARE KEPT CLEAR FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES