Up until 2nd August 2017, the GNR had investigated the causes of 8122 fires, concluding that 40% of the occurrences, that is, 3320 fires, had negligent causes.
Then there were 1374 fires that were caused with intent, 17% of the total.
There were 699 fires, 9% of the total that originated from re-ignitions and only 82, only 1%, which arose from natural causes.
It should be noted that some 2647 or 33% of fires had an unknown cause
The truth is that in 85% of cases the fires were caused by human intervention “, highlights Major Ricardo Alves of the GNR Nature and Environmental Protection Service (SEPNA). As for the fires caused by re-ignitions, they show “that post-fire surveillance did not work.”
According to the National Commander of Civil Protection, Rui Esteves, on Wednesday, 38% of last week’s incidents occurred “at night”, meaning they had a “criminal hand.”
This year, the GNR has identified 700 individuals as potential arsonists in the country’s villages and rural areas. They are referenced in the system. “Of the 62 detained that the Judiciary Police did this year for the crime of forest fire, about 40 were suspects that the GNR had already identified.” The GNR can only detain suspects of the forest fire crime if caught in the act: it has already stopped 32 (29 men and three women).
There are now 94 detained by the two criminal investigation bodies, a “record” reported last week by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Constança Urbano de Sousa. Of the 62 arrested by the PJ this year, 26 were remanded in custody. Source Diarios de Noticais
- Government announces Safe Summer Program for the Algarve
- Person arrested in connection with investigation into terrorist crimes
- “Safe Summer” Display at Mar Shopping, Loulé
- It is a mistake to put heavy fighter aircraft in Castelo Branco
- Parliament approves: throwing cigarette buts on the ground will result in a fine
- Thirty Six persons tried for ATM explosions and money laundering
- Portugal regains 3rd place as world’s most peaceful country.
- Training for the security forces for appropriate intervention with LGBTI people
- AGIF considers that Portugal remains “very vulnerable to the risk of fires”
- More dead and injured in road accidents in the first five months of the year
- President of Assembly of Republic proposes to dedicate June 17 as National Day in Memory of Victims of Fires
- Programa Estou Aqui! ® I’m Here Child Safety Program
- US State Department begins social media screening for nearly all visa applications.
- Rural Fires. Municipalities have until the end of the day to clear land from non-compliant landowners
- Portugal Civil Protection Exercise Cascade 2019
