INCREASE IN WEATHER SEVERITY

PREPARATORY MEASURES FOR RURAL FIRE PREVENTION

NATIONAL AUTHORITY OF CIVIL PROTECTION

Given the forecast of increasing weather severity for the next few days and the decision by the National Civil Protection Authority (CNPC) of the National Civil Protection Authority (CNOS) to raise the Special Alert Status of the Integrated (FIRE) for the RED LEVEL in the districts of Braga, Bragança, Guarda, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real and Viseu, the CNOS is undertaking the following operational anticipation measures:

1. Reinforcement of warning messages by District Relief Operations Commands (CDOS) to all district and municipal structures, with a view to strengthening surveillance and enhancing operational responsiveness;
2. Reinforcement of alert messages by CNOS to all national structures, with a view to strengthening surveillance and enhancing operational responsiveness;
3. Daily meetings of the operational and institutional coordination structures at the national and district level – National Operational Coordination Centre (CCON) and District Operational Coordination Centers (CCOD);
4. Operation of the following pre-positioning of operational response means:
5. Lisbon Forest Fires Reinforcement Group at the Vila Real Logistic Support Base, Vila Real;
6. Forest Fire Reinforcement Group of Lisbon at the Macedo de Cavaleiros Logistic Support Base, Bragança;
7. Forest Fire Reinforcement Group of Lisbon at the Albergaria Logistic Support Base, Aveiro;
8. Forest Fire Reinforcement Group of Porto at the Logistic Support Base of Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo; and.
9. Reinforcement of resources of operational response at the Logistics Support Base of Ourique, Beja;
10. Track Machines from the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests in Guimarães (Braga), Trancoso (Guarda), Proença-a-Nova (Castelo Branco), Mangualde (Viseu), Mirandela (Bragança) and Loulé (Faro);
11. Armed Forces patrol teams distributed by districts in EAE Vermelho;
12. Reinforcement groups of the Intervention Group on Protection and Relief (GIPS) of the GNR and, Mirandela (Bragança), Viseu, Loulé (Faro) and Aveiro;
13. Strengthening groups of the Special Firefighters Force (FEB) in Guimarães (Braga), Trancoso (Guarda), Proença-a-Nova (Castelo Branco);
14. Fire Analysis and Use Teams (EAUF) of the Special Firefighters Force in Vila Real, Viseu and Estremoz;

• Recognition and Situation Assessment Team (ERAS) of the Firefighters Special Force in Santarém.

5. Preventive SMS sending, applicable to the districts in EAE Vermelho, with broadcasting beginning at 6:00 p.m 17^th August and the activation of the ANPC telephone hotline – 800 246 246 and 214 247 247 for overseas subscribers