On 22nd and 23rd April 2018 the GNR have arrested five persons in the districts of Bragança, Portalegre , Porto, Vila Real and Viseu for causing forest fires.
The suspects, two men and three women between the ages of 38 and 72, in separate incidents were burning debris, but failed to control the flames, resulting in a total burned area of about 59 000 m2 of wild pine, eucalyptus and bush.
The detainees were constituted defendants and subject pre-trial conditions.
Failing to properly control the burning of debris is one of the main causes of fires. Please download the official guide to undertake controlled burnings safely here.