Portugal Situation and Security Report Wednesday 19th April 2023

The  good news is that this years this year’s DECIR, the national operational plan concerning rural fires, will have 13,891 elements and 2,990 vehicles during the highest wildfire season which means the commitment period, between July 01 and September 30 (DECIR Level IV). This is very  welcomed representing an increase from the previous year.

In 2022, the number of responders involved in fighting fires in the same period has reached 12,917, which means that this year there are 974 more elements to fight rural fires. Regarding aircraft, the 2023 Rural Fire Fighting Special Device (DECIR) plans for up to 72 aircraft, 12 more than in previous years.

This year’s DECIR incorporates proposals formulated by experts analysing the 2022 fires as part of the process of lessons learned. The availability of resources is the highest ever, which gives
better conditions to those who fight fires in order to protect people and their property. As fires develop with often greater intensity due to the effects of climate change, the demands on fire fighters both on the ground and in the air increases, so the importance of having a national operational plan, based on lessons learned formulated by experts is paramount.

One of these is the Regional Commands, of multifaceted teams, comprising the participation of the various entities in each of the Coordination and Regional Development Commissions, so
that “when the fire exceeds a certain level of complexity, there is technical expertise capable of studying applying the best approach methodologies”.

This is something we have previously stressed at Safe Communities; firefighting is a complex task in these conditions and this is why responders are from many different entities incorporating professional experience, technical skills and using up to date technology including that which can predict the intensity and spread of fires and communicate this to
commanders on the ground.

Also welcome news is that the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests and the Special Force for the Protection Civil, which will mobilize means and expand human resources
so that they can penetrate further into the forest, maintaining the protection of people and their property”.  This type of firefighting requires specialist knowledge such as the intensity of
how various species of trees and shrubs burn in fires.

There is also going to be more emphasis on training which we have already seen in the Algarve and other regions, with various training programs and exercises being conducted. This will also
focus on training for the complexity that the fires are currently revealing due to weather conditions, with DECIR predicting “another 5,400 elements who will receive specific and more
complex training on the part of the Escola Superior de Firemen.”

During the season we will be covering the work undertaken by the various entities from the Bombeiros, to ariel fire fighters, who all work together under a civil protection framework in
accordance with the DECIR 2023.

A reminder that the deadline for land cleaning is just 11 days away! With the fire risk increasing there is little time left, so if you have yet to make a start do so asap whilst respecting, of course, the restriction of the use of garden machinery in very high or maximum fire danger conditions. We publish the risks and restrictions on out FB page each morning.

In section and enforcement action is being stepped up especially in high risk areas so please take note and appropriate action. Land cleaning helps protect properties in the event of fires so it is very important that this is undertaken.

Have a safe and enjoyable week ahead

News

GNR arrested 34 people this year for the crime of arson in
Manteigas, Guarda, 17 Apr 2023 (Lusa) – The National Republican Guard (GNR) this year detained 34 people on suspicion of forest fire crimes and signaled 13,024 infractions for lack of fuel management, said the Minister of Internal Administration today.

“This year, the GNR has already signaled 13,024 situations that could be violated due to lack of fuel management, it has already prepared 66 notices of administrative offenses for improperly
carrying out burnings and has already prepared 935 notices of news for the crime of forest fire”, said José Luís Carneiro in Manteigas, in the district of Guarda, at the public session for
the presentation of the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR 2023).

The holder of the Internal Administration portfolio also said that the GNR identified 258 defendants this year and carried out 34 arrests of people for allegedly committing crimes of fires.
The minister also said that 168 arrests were made by the GNR and the Judiciary Police in 2022, related to occurrences of forest fires. “The number of arrests doubled in 2022 compared to 2021,” he said.

Sintra: safe bathing at the weekend leading up to the official bathing season Sintra Council has created a protocol that regulates the pre-Bathing Season, guaranteeing in
view of the high temperatures, and the number of bathers who go to the beaches, adequate surveillance in the municipality at beaches at weekends and holidays. In a statement sent to the newsrooms, Sintra City Council explains that the decision comes in the wake of the high influx of users to the municipality beaches. And in order to guard against situations that endanger the safety and lives of bathers, at a time when, despite the
high temperatures, the sea still presents adverse conditions for bathing.

The lifeguards will start guarding the beaches through a protocol with the Association of Beaches of the Municipality of Sintra, including Praia da Adraga, Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs, Praia do Magoito and Praia de S.Julião.

The mayor, Basílio Horta, explains that “this is a joint effort with the concessionaires. The objective is not to open the bathing season right away, it is above all, about acting in
conscience and taking care, as far as possible, of protecting those who frequent our beaches. It is a very relevant gesture and one of great solidarity between the Chamber and the Association
of Beaches of Sintra. ”

On the beaches of Sintra, the assistance for bathers will be available, with the presence of two to three lifeguards per beach, essential elements for the safety and protection
of beach users.

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