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UK.Gov have issued the following travel advice to those intending to visit Monchique

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.

If you need consular assistance, or you have concerns about family or friends in the area, please call (+351) 21 392 4000 or in the UK (+44) 207 008 1500.

Link:  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal

 

 

Civil Protection Calls on Population to remain calm

Tonight at a press conference, the Civil Protection commander urged people to trust the authorities and to safeguard themselves.

The same source assumes that the fire went through Alferce, but that it was controlled and the people protected. They did the same in the village of Monchique to protect people.  ,There were however some houses and agricultural annexes affected by the fires in the zone of Fornalha a short distance from Alferce.

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.

Many were those who tried to resist the evacuation of the village for fear that their property would be compromised.  Civil Protection says that the priority is people. “There is no material more important than human life,” he said.  Concerning the possibility that some dwellings have been affected, the commander confirms that there may have been cases that have suffered fire damage.

The main front of the fire that has been in action 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,” the National Civil Protection Authority said at a press conference tonight.

This point was made at a time when the flames are at the gates of the town of Monchique and confirmed Colonel Duarte Costa, the operational commander of the ANPC, “have passed through Alferce, which has always been protected”.

This village, moreover, was isolated for more than an hour, surrounded by the flames and with the cut road accesses.

The inhabitants of Portela do Vento were removed this this afternoon, at around 4:00 p.m., as a ‘precaution’.

Duarte Costa 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.

The same official added that the means continue to be reinforced in Monchique, being on the way to the Algarve more “five combat groups”, integrating elements of the special force of firemen, GNR and Armed Forces. There are also eight more track machines, which will join the 32 already there.

 

Civil Protection Calls on Population to remain calm

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.

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.

The same official added that the means continue to be reinforced in Monchique, being on the way to the Algarve more “five combat groups”, integrating elements of the special force of firemen, GNR and Armed Forces. There are also eight more track machines, which will join the 32 already there.

Considering that the flames have been on the doors of Monchique for about three hours , several buses have already been requisitioned, but that, with the favourable evolution of the fire, ‘it seems that they will not be necessary’ .

“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.

Despite ensuring that the situation in Monchique and Alferce is “controlled”, Duarte Costa admitted that in the small housing settlements that were being evacuated during the afternoon, the houses “could have suffered from the fires.”

“We cannot do the perimeter defence of all the small localities, we are concentrating on the larger nuclei. The small clusters, from which the people were taken, may have suffered fire. But from what has been conveyed to me, most of Monchique is safeguarded and the population is protected, “he said.

Many were those who tried to resist the evacuation of the village for fear that their property would be compromised.  Civil Protection says that the priority is people. “There is no material more important than human life,” he said.  Concerning the possibility that some dwellings have been affected, the commander confirms that there may have been cases that have suffered fire damage.

The inhabitants of Portela do Vento were removed this this afternoon, at around 4:00 p.m., as a ‘precaution’.

The ANPC Press Release on the operational situation of this weekend (at this time), highlights the summary of the means involved in the rural fire of Monchique and a special appeal to the citizens to redouble the care to be taken in the use and enjoyment of forest areas.

In view of the adverse weather conditions, in hot and dry weather, which favour the outbreak and spread of rural fires, it was decided to maintain:

• The Special Alert Status (SEA), at RED level, until August 6 at 11:59 PM, for the Districts of Beja, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Portalegre, Santarém, Setúbal and Viseu;
• The Special Alert State (EAE), at the ORANGE level, until August 6 at 11:59 PM, for the Districts of Aveiro, Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo and Vila Real;

 

These measures imply:

• Increasing monitoring actions and strengthening the readiness of the various entities involved in civil protection operations;
• The organization of actions of patrolling, reconnaissance and surveillance in places historically more vulnerable to rural fires;
• The pre-positioning of combat means as a condition for a more efficient and effective reaction to rural fires;
• The maintenance of measures of active prevention and operational planning by the Civil Protection Agents and other Cooperating Entities and Municipal Civil Protection Services.

 

The operational situation of the last two days is as follows:

August 4, Saturday

• Number of occurrences of rural fires (between 00:00 and 24:00): 110
• Number of operatives: 3479
• Number of vehicles: 971
• Number of aircraft : 51

 

August 5, Sunday

• Number of occurrences of rural fires (between 00:00 and 24:00): 98
• Number of operations: 2230
• Number of vehicles: 556
• Number of aircraft: 49

 

We highlight the data referring to the rural fire of Monchique, Algarve, whose outbreak happened on August 3, Friday, and that, at this time, are the following:

• Number of operatiives: 810
• Number of vehicles: 226
• Number of track machines: 8
• Number of air tickets: 9
• Number of entities involved: 94

 

The ANPC renews the warning to the population to take care of their safety, remembering that the speed and violence of propagation of fires that occur with this type of meteorological conditions makes this type of occurrence a threat to the people and their assets, in the extreme way in which they can be developed.

For this reason, we call on citizens to keep themselves constantly informed about developments in the areas where they live or visit, to observe the advice and recommendations of the authorities in particular in the extreme situations of rural fires, to adapt the behaviour to the risk of fire rural areas, to comply with self-protection measures and only to evacuate the place where they are in conditions of absolute security.

The ANPC informs that by 21:30 on 5th August the CODIS of Faro, Vítor Vaz Pinto will make the operational situation on the fire of Monchique from the Basic School 2,3 of Monchique.

To your consideration.

Jorge Dias

Division boss

Communication and Awareness Division

Presidency

With a number of fires ongoing at present it is important you know what action to take if affected by a fire.

Government has produced information which can be downloaded here:

 

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Safe-Village-Safe-People-Protecting-yourself-against-rural-fires-brochure-English.pdf

 

 

 

SITREP 5th August 1300 hrs

 

SITREP 5th August 0800 hrs

Overnight  there was a lot of fire fighting activity but the fire has now returned to active on two fronts.

This morning the air force has returned to the theatre of operations, while the command is undertaking a reconnaissance of the terrain, in the light of day, to see the area as a whole”.

Yesterday, shortly after 20.00 Víctor Vaz Pinto, the Algarve’s operational commander, had said that one of the fronts “is dominated”, and the “extinguishing and consolidating actions” are taking place. But the situation seems to have become worse at night, especially due to strong winds and high temperatures.

Rui André, the mayor of Monchique, who has been on the ground to monitor the situation, said that “the night, which usually brings windows of opportunity, with lower temperatures and more humidity, this time did not help us. We had 40 degree temperatures here and that was very difficult. ”

According to the mayor, the front that still inspires “greater concern” is the “southern front”.

The 266 national road, better known as the Estrada de Sabóia, remains closed in the fire zone, while the 501 municipal road was reopened by 16.30.

According to the website of the National Civil Protection Authority on the Internet, the Monchique fire currently mobilizes 787 aircraft, supported by 209 vehicles and six air assets, including four light and medium helicopters and two Fireboss aircraft.

It is also expected the arrival of two heavy Canadian aircraft.

The National Civil Protection Authority informs that, at 1830 hrs on 4^th August 2018, the District Command of Relief Operations of Évora received an alert of rural fire at the place called Monte da Chapada, parish of São Brás de Cortiço, municipality of Estremoz.

There are six civilian victims. Two injured were evacuated by helicopter from INEM to hospitals in the region of Lisbon and four victims were transported by ambulance to the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora. There is also a wounded Firefighter, who was assisted at the Estremoz Health Center by fatigue.

The rural fire progressed with great velocity due to the very strong wind at the place, a zone of grass, bushes and olive groves, with some scattered dwellings. It was given as dominated at 2100 hrs, ending at 22.35 hrs. In the theater of operations there are 86 Operational, supported by 29 Vehicles and 4 TA of Firemen’s Corps, Forestal Sapradores, GNR PSP, INEM, SMPC, Juntas Parish.

The National Civil Protection Authority renews the warning to the population, remembering the speed and velocity of the propagation of fires that occur with this type of meteorological conditions. These fires constitute an extreme threat for the safety of people and property. For this reason, we appeal to the citizens to take the utmost care and at all times, in this type of extreme situations, to protect themselves and to evacuate the place where they are in to absolute safety as required.

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 actions”.

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.

At present, the fire is being fought by 684 operational, supported by 176 vehicles, in particular track machines. The helicopters and airplanes that have helped all day have already retired.

Meanwhile the ANPC announced the use of an Air Force C-295 aircraft tonight to be used for reconnaissance. This is to meet the current operational situation, namely the rural fires that burn in the districts of Faro, Santarém, Portalegre and Nisa, and could extend to other risk areas of the continental territory.

The C-295 has imaging equipment that allows rapid detection of any new occurrences, as well as monitoring and the behaviour of rural fires, and is therefore an important means of supporting operational decision making. Aboard the C-295 will be two ANPC operatives

130 military personnel from the Armed Forces and the Navy have been mobilized to support the fight against the fire.

This comprises six platoons (five army platoons and one navy platoon), and two army engineering detachments with a platform and two caterpillar tractors, with a total of 130 military personnel committed.

Of these, 111 are from the Army and 19 from the Navy, with 10 light vehicles and 18 medium vehicles.

As at 16.30 hrs there were 724 firefighters, 193 support vehicles and 10 aircraft deployed.

 

Earlier SITREP 4th August 1300 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

Statement of the Alert Situation

Given the weather forecast for the next few days, which point to a significant worsening of the risk of forest fires, the Government, through the Minister of Internal Affairs signed Wednesday, the Order that determines the Statement of Alert Situation for the period from the 2nd to the 6th of August, for the whole continental territory.

Within the scope of the Declaration of the Alert Situation, provided for in the Law of Civil Protection, the following exceptional measures will be implemented:

• Increased operational readiness and responsiveness on the part of the GNR and the PSP, with enhanced resources for surveillance, behaviour-deterrent patrolling and general support for protection and rescue operations that may be needed, considering for the authorized effect the interruption of vacation leave and / or suspension of breaks and rest periods;
• Increased readiness and mobilization of teams of emergency medical, public health and psychosocial support, by the competent entities of the health and social security areas;
• Continuous mobilization of the Sapper Forest teams;
• Continuous mobilization of the National Corps of Forestry Agents and Nature Watchers that are part of the fire prevention and control system;
• Increase the level of readiness of response teams of entities with special duty of cooperation in the areas of communications (fixed and mobile network operators) and energy (transportation and distribution);
• Prohibition of access, movement and permanence within the forest areas, previously defined in the Municipal Fire Protection Plans (PMDFCI), as well as in the forest paths, rural roads and other routes that cross them;
• Total prohibition of the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices, regardless of their form of combustion, as well as the suspension of authorizations that may have been issued, as long as the Alert Status is in force;
• Exemption from the public service of Public Administration workers who cumulatively perform the functions of voluntary firefighter;
• Exemption of private sector workers who cumulatively perform the functions of voluntary firefighter in the districts for which the Red Level Special Alert State has been declared by the ANPC;
• Recourse to the resources available under the National Plan and the District Civil Emergency Emergency Plans.

The Government is constantly monitoring the evolution of the operational situation and appeals to the citizens to adapt their behaviour to the meteorological framework that has been widely disseminated.