“At the moment we have two occurrences that are causing more concern, in Vale da Pia and Barrocal-Sicó, in the district of Leiria. In Serra do Sicó we have two fronts, one in combat and the other burning freely in an area of ​​difficult access and, therefore, we will mobilise air resources as soon as possible”, said the operations officer of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).

According to Rodrigo Bretelo, the fire that broke out on Friday in Barrocal-Sicó, in the municipality of Pombal, district of Leiria, mobilized 132 operatives, including reinforcement groups from Lisbon, Coimbra and Portalegre, with the support of 40 vehicles.

“In Vale da Pia, the fire is divided into four sectors, three of which are under consolidation and one is active in about 30% of its area. 465 operatives are mobilized in combat, with 127 vehicles,” he said.

Rodrigo Bretelo justified the concern about this fire due to its large dimensions and because it has been active since Friday.

“The temperatures that await us today are lower, but they are still a concern, we have low humidity with values ​​in the order of 5%, which does not facilitate combat and operations on the ground”, he said.

Algarve fire

He also highlighted the fires in the Algarve, with 359 operatives, with the support of 126 vehicles, and the one in Palmela, in the district of Setúbal, which has mobilised 398 operatives, with the support of 123 land assets and one air asset.

At 9am, more than 3,000 operatives were fighting 47 fires - between ongoing fires, resolution and conclusion - in mainland Portugal, with the help of 1032 vehicles and 20 air assets.