Archives: Situation Reports

Portugal Situation and Safety Report Wednesday 27^th July 2022

Good morning – As you can see it has been an extremely busy week, and although past the heatwave we have still experienced several major fires.

Most of these have been in the north of the mainland, except for a major fire that broke out in bushland in Silves municipality close to the border with Beja district and close to the IC 1. As this fire spread eastwards it resulted in the closure of the A 2 as well. Now both reopened.

This was a most complicated fire in a hilly area, fanned by strong winds and with a very low relativity humidity. Ariel response was hampered by the presence of power lines in some places. Through the superb work of all firefighters and all civil protection agents involved the fire is now at a resolution stage. Let’s hope it is brought to a conclusion soon.

It was a wise decision to place the Algarve and Beja districts on Red internal readiness alert for Monday and Tuesday now reduced to Orange today.

Last night the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Patrícia Gaspar stated that from today, we will have some heat, some wind in the coastal districts, but it is a situation that generally gives us some tranquility” and that is why the situation of alert situation will not continue, she explained.

According to Patrícia Gaspar, “there will be no activation of any contingency or alert declaration. We are confident that the current scenario falls within the normal response capacity of the Civil Protection firefighting device,” she declared.

At the same conference the ANEPC placed Beja and Faro districts on Orange level international readiness alert and the ANEPC issued a Notification to the population of fire risk for the next 48 hours.

Alerts, warnings and notifications can be confusing – so let’s explain

A Situation of Alert like we had at some stages of Covid, is the lesser level of levels that can be issued under Civil Protection law, “Contingency” and “Calamity” being higher. This is only issued in extreme conditions, and in the case of fires and other disasters places special measures on both civil protection agents and the public.

The readiness alert is in 5 levels green to red and is the level of monitoring and operational readiness levels that the civil protection and agents such as GNR, Bombeiros need to be able to fulfil commensurate with the degree of fire risk. Purely internal, these do not involve the public. The notifications from the ANEPC are more regular for public information, based on expected weather conditions and typically we would expect around 30 – 40 a year. These can be for flooding, low temperatures, high temperatures and fire risk. These highlight the guidelines/rules/advice already in place for the public to follow

Let us hope there are less of all of these as the summer progresses.

What is most important is that everyone is prepared as we all should be. During fires it is also important to know what to do if a fire approaches your home and to monitor the progress of fires closely.

As an official Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation, we have members who are very experienced and knowledgeable of rural fires and disaster preparedness and operational management. Together with long established official contacts with the emergency services we provide regular detailed information in the event of major fires to help keep you safe.

We are very grateful to those who follow and share our Facebook posts and website.   Our volunteer team undertaking this particular aspect of our work comprises. Pedro Tabula (former Bombeiros Commander); Antonio Vignolo (disaster preparedness), Fernanda Goncalves and Mike Evans (Facebook communication), Susan Wright (Website) and myself and others we can call upon.

We are always pleased to hear from you if you are able to assist in any way.

With that please have a good day.

News:

Government to increase by 325 number of professional firefighters.

Lisbon, Jul 26, 2022 (Lusa) – The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) indicated today that the constitution of 65 new Permanent Intervention Teams (EIP) has been authorized for the voluntary fire brigades in the second half of the year, totalling 325 firefighters.

In a statement, the MAI states that 734 EIPs are currently authorized and 553 teams are operating that are a permanent professional response to civil protection risks in humanitarian firefighters associations.

According to the MAI, this authorization to sign the 65 protocols allows for the constitution of four first teams, 11 second teams, created in fire departments where an EIP already existed, 49 third teams and a fourth EIP.

The MAI states that, of the 65 new EIPs, 36 will be set up in low-density territories and states that the selection of these teams “was based on objective and verifiable criteria, established by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority and presented to the Portuguese Fire Brigade League”.

The protocols, to be concluded between the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, municipal councils and humanitarian firefighters associations, aim to improve the efficiency of Civil Protection and the conditions of prevention and assistance in the face of accidents and disasters, according to the MAI. .

Rural fire update

Newsroom, July 27, 2022 (Lusa) – The fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon in a bush area in the parish of Covelas, municipality of Trofa (Porto), is dominated, a source from the Civil Protection told Lusa.

According to the District Command of Relief Operations (CDOS) of Porto, the fire was considered to have been subdued at 03:15.

At around 5:30 am, 167 operatives were at the scene, assisted by 54 vehicles, said the same source.

This morning, at 2:26 am, the fire that broke out on Tuesday in Bendada, in the municipality of Sabugal, in the district of Guarda, was also brought under control.

According to information available on the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Portugal currently has no active fires, four in the resolution phase and 17 in the completion phase, with 871 firefighters and 275 vehicles to support these operations.

The Government decided on Tuesday that it is not necessary to reactivate the alert situation to respond to forest fires, as weather forecasts point to a “normal summer situation”.

According to forecasts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the next few days will be warm and windy, especially on the coast, but within what is usual during the summer.

The districts of Beja and Faro will change from red alert to orange, due to the risk of rural fires, and Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo and Aveiro will change to blue, with moderate risk

Some PSP Police stations at risk of closing in August due to lack of personnel

It’s a vacation period and, in addition to that, there are those who are on leave”, warns the president of the Union Association of Police Professionals

In August, the closing of police stations due to lack of personnel may worsen , warns the president of the Union Association of Police Professionals (ASPP), Paulo Santos, in statements to “Diário de Notícias” . During the weekend, the largest police station in Porto was closed.

“It’s a vacation period and, in addition, there are those who are on long leave and end up decompensating the service in police stations, warns Paulo Santos, adding that this is not a problem “only in Porto or Lisbon”: “ In the Azores, for example, for months there have been police stations that have had to close the service due to lack of personnel”.

In order to combat the shortage of personnel, the Minister of Internal Administration revealed, last Monday, that mobile police stations will be created in Lisbon and Porto. “This was a very particular solution. The problem, however, is one of base and not of structure. This will be a very short-term solution, but in the long term, it doesn’t make any sense”, says Paulo Santos.

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 20^th July 2022

Good morning – It did not require a crystal ball to determine that we would have major fires in the country during the last two weeks.

All the signs were there, all the data was there, all the conditions were there, but was everyone prepared? Were we “Fire Wise”?

Each day throughout the year Safe Communities Portugal monitors all the information that is available to us, including the fire risks and the Rural Fire Hazard (FWI), to determine the risk of a fire starting and if so its possible intensity. We can see this from the IPMA charts and is published on our Facebook page each day.

It was clear from this before the recent fires started, that the metrological conditions were becoming extreme. This  showed that not only was the risk of fires igniting very likely, but they could be greater in intensity, to a point that should a fire get hold, it could become a severe fire and difficult to contain. This could lead to fires being active over a period of several days and depending on the wind speed and direction, spreading over large areas – which happened.

“I was in no doubt, even without the words of the Minister of International Administration, that we were about to experience conditions similar to that in 2017, when there were the catastrophic fires, firstly in Pedrógão Grande and later in the centre of the mainland. In fact all the major fires in 2003, 2017, the Monchique fire of 2018, and Castro Marim in 2021, were when the rural fire hazard was at maximum. We know this as a fact, because Safe Communities was monitoring the fires closely at the time and reported on our Facebook the conditions beforehand, as well as situation reports of developments during the fires themselves”

98% of fires are human error so there is much we can do. Most important is that we take every action to avoid starting a fire in the first place, “we have to be extra careful” and avoid for instance using power tools on the garden, not smoking in areas where this could burn vegetation. Look around your garden for any debris such as glass bottles that could cause a fire. Do not park a vehicle in long grass. Monitor the fire risk daily, ensure that you are aware of actions to take should a fire approach you, and for those in high risk areas, have a plan including an emergency kit close by in case of evacuations, calling 112 immediately if you discover a fire, are some of the steps.

We live in a hot country and it will get hotter, with likely more fires with greater intensity. We all need to be FIREWISE, have greater awareness of the risks, greater level of preparedness and greater knowledge of what action to take in the event of a fire.

Sad news is that Portugal recorded and between July 7 and 18, 1,063 deaths, attributed to the extreme temperatures that have occurred on the mainland the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) announced today. With these high temperature keeping hydrated is vitally important as we have stressed in our posts regularly. We recommend to follow the advice from DGS.

With that please have a good day

News

Over 1000 deaths attributed to extreme temperatures

Lisbon, July 19, 2022 (Lusa) – Portugal recorded an excess of mortality between July 7 and 18, corresponding to 1,063 deaths, attributed to the extreme temperatures that have occurred on the continent in recent days, announced today the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) .

“Between the 7th and 18th of July 2022, inclusive, excess mortality was observed in Portugal (mainland and islands), corresponding to a total of 1,063 deaths”, the health authority advanced in a statement, noting that these values ​​are provisional and are being updated.

The DGS also recalled that since July 6, there have been very high air temperature, with a red warning of hot weather, the highest on the scale, having been issued for most districts in mainland Portugal.

“Extreme air temperatures, such as those seen in recent days (maximum and minimum), have a known potential impact on health, as a consequence of dehydration or decompensation of chronic diseases, among other factors”, warned the DGS. , who recalled that high air temperatures are generally associated with periods of higher mortality than expected for the time of year.

According to the DGS, the current data available on weather forecasts point to a drop in temperature, more accentuated at maximum temperature.

“The sentinel indicator of the predicted effect of high air temperatures on mortality – the ÍCARO Index calculated by the Ricardo Jorge Institute (INSA) – could reach a maximum value of 0.11 on July 21, 2022, in mainland Portugal, translating a non-significant effect on mortality”, advanced the DGS, which activated the operative group of its Contingency Plan on July 5, with regional and local responses also being activated.

First 17 days of July were the hottest of this century

The first 17 days of July were the hottest of this century with an average air temperature of 25.7 degrees centigrade, revealed the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA).

In a comparison with homologous periods, the IPMA concluded that the period from 1 to 17 July of this year was the warmest since 2000, followed by the years 2013, 2003, 2020, 2016 and 2010.

The IPMA highlights the 13th and 14th, when the 13th was the hottest of 2022 and the fifth hottest day of the last 23 years in mainland Portugal with an average maximum air temperature of 40 degrees centigrade.

In turn, July 14 was the second hottest day of 2022 and the seventh hottest since 2000 with an average maximum air temperature of 38.4 degrees centigrade.

Since 2000, the hottest days in mainland Portugal have been August 4, 2018, August 2, 2003, and August 3 and 5, 2018.

The IPMA also highlights that, between the 1st and 17th of July of this year, the highest value of the maximum air temperature, 47°C, occurred at the Pinhão station and constitutes a new extreme in mainland Portugal for the month of July.

According to the IPMA, during that period the previous highest values ​​of maximum air temperature were exceeded in 84 stations and in 28 stations the values ​​of maximum air temperature recorded are absolute extremes for those stations.

Traffic cut on Vasco da Gama Bridge at dawn on Friday

Road traffic on the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which connects Lisbon and Alcochete, in the district of Setúbal, will be completely closed to traffic at dawn on Friday, between 00:00 and 06:00, Lusoponte announced today.

According to information from the company that manages the bridge, the closure is due to the need for topographic checks, within the scope of the works currently taking place on the infrastructure.

As an alternative, Lusoponte suggests using the 25 de Abril Bridge, complying with the restrictions imposed on this crossing with regard to the transport of dangerous materials, which are only allowed between 02:00 and 05:00.

In April, the company announced the reduction of the width of the lanes until the beginning of November, due to the execution of works, although with the maintenance of the six circulation lanes.

The “changes in the road configuration” were considered necessary for the replacement of “four risers in the main zone”.

The works, then indicated the company, arose following an accident with a bus that completely burned on the bridge deck in June 2021, which “caused only material damage to the protection of four risers”.

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 13^th July 2022

Good morning – over the last few days we have seen a major escalation in the risk of fires and the number of fires occurring.

At the time of writing the fires have mainly been in the centre of the country and the north. Over the weekend there were around 250 fires most of which ignited in the afternoon and early evening by 1320 hrs on Monday 11^th July, only five remained active none being major fires.

The fires are being facilitated by very low relative humidity and high air temperatures and earlier in some areas the high winds, which have now returned.

A Situation of Contingency has been activated for the first time to deal with rural fires which includes a provision that anyone who refuses to comply with the restrictions imposed by the Government will incur the crime of disobedience. Be familiar with the measures.

Yesterday we entered a new phase of an already difficult situation, with a worsening of the metrological conditions, which will affect most of the mainland except for the northwest. Having monitored this sort of data since 2017, I am in no  doubt we are experiencing conditions similar to that in 2017, when there were the catastrophic fires, firstly in Pedrógão Grande and later in the centre of the mainland. In fact all the major fires in 2003, 2017, the Monchique fire of 2018, and Castro Marim in 2021, were when the rural fire hazard was at maximum.

The relative humidity is extremely low in many areas and overnight particularly in Foia, Monchique was the lowest in the country on 10^th July at just 6% at one stage. Looking ahead to the data over the period up to 15^th July, Portugal maybe at an unprecedented situation in terms of extreme fire risk, certainly the highest for several decades.

This is borne out by André Fernandes Commander ANEPC who highlighted the “extreme weather conditions” in about 80% of the country and the “exceptional risk” of fires for the coming days, “values ​​that have never been recorded”, warning of the need for all people to adopt appropriate behaviours not only of risk but of self-protection.

However, what has changed since 2017, is the preparedness of the emergency services which have evolved greatly using new technology and more resources in tackling these fires. A heavy use aircraft at an early stage, especially in areas where access is difficult is having good results. The early reporting of fires, quick response and bringing a fire to a conclusion in the initial attack phase i.e. within 90 mins is essential. In fact most fires are concluded with the hour. The longer a fire burns the greater the intensity becomes.

In the next few days the situation is almost certainly to be exacerbated according to IPMA  data, with greater intensity if a fire gets hold to a point in some areas  it becomes a severe fire and difficult to fight. This could lead to fires being active over a period of several days and depending on the wind spreading over large areas.

How can we prevent this?

Well 98% of fires are human error so there is much we can do. Most important is that we take every action to avoid starting a fire in the first place, “we have to be extra careful” and avoid for instance using power tools on the garden, not smoking in areas where this could burn vegetation. Look around your garden for any debris such as glass bottles that could cause a fire. Do not park a vehicle in long grass. Monitor the fire risk daily, ensure that you are aware of actions to take should a fire approach you in a fire, and for those in high risk areas, have an emergency kit close by in case of evacuations, calling 112 immediately if you discover a fire, are some of the steps.

If all this is followed we will avoid fires, keeping our communities safe and that of the emergency services who do fantastic work putting their lives at risk to help you.

Safe Communities Portugal is a Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation under Portuguese law and full details are on its website www.safecommunitiesportugal.com on how to prevent fires and actions to take should a fire approaches you, as well as our Facebook page.

News

Safety is above all”. Costa justifies the need to readjust events in the coming days

The prime minister said today that, for security reasons in view of the “extremely high risk” of fire, with the country in a contingency situation, the events next to forest areas scheduled for the coming days will have to be readjusted.

António Costa communicated this determination at the end of two meetings, totaling more than three hours, with the operational command and with several national entities responsible for preventing and fighting fires, at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, in Carnaxide, municipality of Oeiras.

At risk of cancellation, rescheduling or relocation, with the country in a contingency situation in the coming days, are major events such as the Super Rock music festival in Sesimbra, which has since been relocated to Altice Arena, in Lisbon, or the Faro biker concentration.

“As is known, the weather forecasts will remain extremely serious, regarding the risk of fire”, being “absolutely fundamental not only that the entire civil protection system is fully mobilized, as it is, but above all that we all have the responsibility to avoid the risk of fire”, began by saying the prime minister.

After successive questions about the conditions for holding events near pine forest areas, such as the Supre Bock Super Rock music festival, or the Faro biker rally, the prime minister reacted: “I understand the interest these events arouse, but this is the smallest problem we are going to have in the country”.

“The big problem facing the country in the coming days is the very high risk of fire that covers practically the entire national territory. It certainly covers the entire territory from the Minho River to Lisbon, attenuating a little in the Alentejo, but not in the Algarve, where there are forecasts of very strong winds”, declared the leader of the executive.

“Safety is above all. This issue is not political, it is technical and responsible, it stems from the law at a time when the contingency situation is in force”, declared António Costa, with the ministers of Internal Administration, José Luís Carneiro, of Defense, Helena Careers, and Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes.

It’s not just in Portugal: heat wave will cause records in several European countries

Temperatures will be around 7°C above average in the Iberian Peninsula, making it one of the three longest heat waves in the region’s history. On Monday, above-average seasonal temperatures are expected to hit central, southern and western Europe, forecasters warn.

The heat wave recorded in the Iberian Peninsula in recent days will affect northern Europe later this week and spread to the east, expected to set new records in several countries, European meteorologists announced this Tuesday.

The heat that has affected Portugal and Spain has raised temperatures 4 to 5 degrees above normal for the season, leading to maximums above 40ºC. During the rest of this week, the heat will likely increase further, to around 7°C above average, with maximum temperatures reaching 46-47°C in Seville, for example, according to experts quoted by the English newspaper The Guardian. .

According to Aemet, the Spanish meteorological agency, this heat wave can last nine or 10 days, making it one of the three longest heat waves the Iberian Peninsula has ever experienced.

As low pressures develop in eastern Europe, intense heat from the Iberian Peninsula will also affect France, the United Kingdom and much of central Europe.

According to experts, parts of France, the United Kingdom, Germany and even the Netherlands are expected to experience temperatures above 40°C from the middle of this week.

In the UK, the all-time temperature record is 38.7°C, set in Cambridge in July 2019.

Meanwhile, temperatures in parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean will also rise to around 10°C above normal, passing the 40°C mark across Italy and the Balkans.

On Monday of next week, above-average seasonal temperatures should be registered in central, southern and western Europe, with conditions of “widespread heat waves”, warn meteorologists, pointing the finger at the Azores and African anticyclone. .

Are you going to travel by train? CP warns of “strong disruption”

CP – Comboios de Portugal warned this Monday of “strong disturbances in the movement of trains in all services” and across the country on Tuesday and Thursday due to the strike of workers at Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP).

In a statement, the operator said that “due to a strike called by a trade union organization of IP-Infraestruturas de Portugal, strong disturbances are expected in the circulation of trains in all services, at the national level, on the 12th and 14th of July, 2022”.

According to CP, “minimum services are planned for both days, the list of which is available at cp.pt, and additional trains may be carried out”.

Therefore, “customers who have already purchased a ticket to travel on trains of the Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Interregional and Regional services, will be allowed a refund, in the total amount of the ticket purchased, or its renewal free of charge, for another train of the same category and in the same class”, he indicated.

“Following the prior notice of strike presented by Aprofer – Association of Railway Command and Control Professionals, for the period between 00:00 and 24:00 on July 12th [Tuesday] and the period between between 00:00 and 24:00 on the 14th of July [Thursday], we inform you that there may be disturbances in rail traffic”, reads a notice made available this morning on the company’s website.

According to him, “in this period, Infraestruturas de Portugal will guarantee the opening of 30% of its rail channel for the Urbanos – Lisbon and Porto service and 25% for the remaining circulations, under the terms of the minimum services agreed with the aforementioned union association”.

In turn, Fertagus also warned on its website that, “in view of the strike announced at IP – Infraestruturas de Portugal between 00:00 and 24:00, on the 12th and 14th of July 2022, serious disturbances in the movement of Fertagus trains”.

To Lusa, the president of Aprofer, Adriano Filipe, explained that at the basis of the strike is the demand for a professional training system for the operational command centers, a specific evaluation and performance system for these functions and an update in the remunerations.