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Monchique Rural Fire – SITREP – 5th August 1300 hrs

SITREP 5th August 1300 hrs

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.
 
Thus, 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.
 
José Alberto Guerreiro, mayor of Odemira, said that the near 20 residents of Moitinhas were taken as a precaution last night and were taken to the Social Center of Savoy, where they stayed overnight. In the morning, the mayor added, the fire was about t2 kms from the village, in an area of eucalyptus, although “with better access than Monchique’s side.”
Yesterday, the fire had already passed the border to Odemira, having destroyed “about 30 hectares” in the Sierra de Algares, located in the northern foothills of the Sierra de Monchique

 

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.


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