Fire hazard: state of alert as of midnight

The Government declared a state of alert as of 00h00 on Friday 3 July until 6 July, as announced by the Minister of Home Affairs Luís Neves at the end of a meeting at the Integrated Prevention and Operations Command Centre (CIPO), in Leiria.

The state of alert is an exceptional measure for extraordinary moments. In force, it leads to applying the law of exception with the prohibition of several activities, among which entering forest areas and roads that cross them, as well as any activities that could cause a fire, including fireworks (any authorisations granted are suspended), among others.

It also implies raising the readiness of security forces and medical, health, and social assistance emergency teams, as well as increasing security forces' patrols and aerial surveillance by the Armed Forces. The coordination structures on several levels are also deployed.

"Powder keg"

Luís Neves claimed that "it hasn't been this hot in twenty years", noting that the possibility of double the ignitions is expected and that "this year we already have 14 thousand hectares of burned land".

The Minister claimed that the next few days will be "terrible", indicating the exceptional weather conditions: high temperatures that in some areas may reach 47ºC, with 70-80 km/h winds and low humidity levels; "these are the conditions for a powder keg".

The Minister thanked all the civil protection officers and especially the firefighters, who have been very efficacious in the initial firefighting, keeping the fires from spreading.

Care

Noting again that the summer "will be especially tough", he stressed that only people's attention and the lack of hazardous behaviour will be able to avoid major wildland fires.

One act of recklessness could lead to "a drama of death and destruction". As such, "do not do or allow people to do" things that could kill other people or even the people who cause the fire.

The Minister also recommended that everyone keep their phones with the batteries charged on hand so they can receive communications that could make a difference at a time of crisis.

Luís Neves likewise said that the work of the Integrated Prevention and Operations Command Centre (CIPO) was able to clear 419 thousand square km of rural paths listed as priority, and there are 240 km of rural paths left to clear, "which is outstanding work that I would like to acknowledge".