Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 5th July 2023
Good morning, We start with the good news which is that on Saturday we entered the maximum operational readiness period for rural fires namely the availability of 13,891 operatives (+974 compared to 2022); 2990 vehicles (+157 compared to 2022) and 67 aircraft (+7 compared to 2022).
This of course is very welcome news and represents an increase in operatives of 42% compared to 2017. However this is not the answer: the solution lies in prevention which is now where increasing amount of financial resources are being spent. If we can reduce the number of ignitions and the impact, then this would be a far more effective way in how we manage and prepare for disasters.
The fact that there are more resources to fight fires is important as fires are burning with more intensity which means if they get hold they can well spread faster and quicker. The result of this is that the perimeter of the fire increases and hence it become more difficult using more operatives to extinguish. Overnight fires are a problem as firefighting aircraft cannot be used.
It is good to see therefore a “very muscular” response to fires in some cases over 100 operative being deployed within 45 minutes with as many of 5-6 aircraft and at the peak of fires many more. This very fast deployment appears to be achieving results with the majority of fires being brought under a conclusion during the initial attack stage i.e. 90 minutes – congratulations to all concerned.
Related to this it was reported yesterday that the Earth has just experienced the hottest day we have ever seen.
The average global air temperature recorded 2 metres above Earth’s surface was over 17°C (62.6°F) on 3 July, the highest that has ever been recorded. The temperature recorded 2 metres above Earth’s surface hit 17.01°C (62.62°F) on 3 July, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US and compiled by the University of Maine.
This may not seem very high but it is an average with some places much higher say in North Africa and some much lower for example the Antarctic. The spike in temperatures is likely to have been driven by recent heatwaves across the US, Europe and Canada, and accelerating El Niño conditions, which sees sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean rise above average.
In any event we are certainly feeling the effects already here in Portugal. So keep cool and well hydrated.
Turning to drought it was announced yesterday that the amount of water stored fell in June 2023 in eight river basins and rose in four compared to the previous month, according to data from the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH), referring to the state of 12 basins. Of the 57 monitored reservoirs – (each hydrographic basin can correspond to more than one reservoir) – 23 have water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and ten have availability below 40%. This is likely to worse later this month.
Our team wishes our hard working volunteer Susan Wright who posts the weekly reports on our website and looks after the SCP North and Central Facebook page, a very happy birthday. Thanks for publishing this on your Birthday Susan.
We wish everyone a great week ahead.
News:
GNR Operation “Golden Clam”
Yesterday evening it was reported that a GNR “Mega-operation” is taking place. Ten people have already been arrested and hundreds of military personnel are on site in a multidisciplinary operation with the Tax Authority (AT).
A GNR ‘Mega-operation’ called ‘Golden Clam’ is taking place this Tuesday in Setúbal, where 82 search and seizure warrants were carried out, 19 house searches and 63 non-domestic searches.
According to the person in charge of operations, Lieutenant-Colonel Adérito Rodrigues, contacted by SAPO24, there are at least ten detainees, involving suspicions of qualified tax fraud that could have harmed the State by several million euros, related to the collection and illegal sale of bivalves.
The person in charge confirms that this is a multidisciplinary operation that has been running for about a year and a half with the collaboration of the Montijo Research Center and the Tax Authority (AT).
So far, around 3 tonnes of bivalves have been seized in the councils of Alcochete, Montijo, Almada, Seixal and Sesimbra. Material used to catch these animals was also apprehended, as well as several vehicles.
According to the GNR, it is possible that the number of tons will increase throughout today.