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.