Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 16th August 2023

 

Good morning, something that has been troubling me over the last week is what led to the devastating rural fire in Maui, Hawaii, resulting in a death toll of 106 and at least 1300 missing. Not only could this turn out to be the largest death toll from a rural fire in the US in last 100 years as stated, but one of the worlds greatest disasters from a rural fire.

resulting in a death toll of around one hundred but almost certainly to increase much higher.

Following this the Minister of Internal Administration sent a very clear message on Monday that Portugal must be prepared for “extreme fires” like those that occurred in Hawaii and Canada.

José Luís Carneiro recalls that this year “we have the greatest number of resources ever”, but stresses that responsible behaviour on the part of the population is also needed. What in effect the Minister is saying that the fires may well be intense, not necessarily the same impact provided everyone is aware of the hazards and is prepared accordingly. The minister stressed that we are still in the middle of the critical period of fires and admits that this year “adverse conditions could last until the end of September, mid-October”.

Turning to the Maui fires, brush fires were already burning on 9th August. Those fires were stoked on Wednesday by a combination of low humidity and strong mountain winds, brought by Hurricane Dora, a Category 4 storm hundreds of miles to the south in the Pacific Ocean. No cause for the fire has yet been determined, but experts said one possibility was that active power lines that fell in high winds ignited the wildfire that ultimately spread to Lahaina.

This is the worst fire in terms of fatalities in over one hundred years in US territory. Although the focus is now very much on recovery, there are inevitable questions on what many residents are stating that there was a lack of warning. Fires as we know can occur any time, but one of the most important aspects of preparedness is knowing what the fire hazards are at the time and place.

In the case of Maui what has been reported is that at the time of the fire most of the island was experiencing worsening drought conditions in recent weeks which probably also contributed to the fire. Nearly 16 percent of Maui County was in a severe drought on Tuesday, according to the U.S. NOAA have daily Watches, Warnings or Advisories for three areas of Maui which shows alerts currently in effect for those areas and is normally updated every two-three minutes. Unfortunately it is not historical so no data for 8th August.

Also there was a hurricane passing to the south, with winds on 8th August peaking at between 80 km/h 107km/h. (Source US National weather centre)

Hurricanes are closely tracked by the highly effective US Hurricane Centre (NOAA) with estimates of wind strengths, direction of the hurricane and relevant data which is published every few hours.

Fire danger info is provided to the population through various communication channels when deemed necessary (mid to high likability of fires to occur): TV, radio, and by text message. They also have a fire alert system, which is known by the public and has been used in the past. According to the news, this system has not been activated this time and the population was not correctly alerted. However, the danger of fires has been reported through regular means, as explained above.  On that day, a message has been sent to inform the population about the potential danger of fires. However, it is said that due to power outages (because of strong winds), the message might have not reached everyone.

 

Hawaii has what it says is one of the world’s largest siren systems to warn people of all kinds of events, including wildfires and hurricanes. Maui County has 80. State records don’t indicate that the sirens sounded in Lahaina, according to the Associated Press.

When asked at a press conference why was the state not more prepared? Hawaii Gov. Josh Green response, “We’ve never experienced a wildfire that affected a city like this before.”

Following this fire there will be a major review with recommendations to try and avoid a repeat of this disaster where perhaps hundreds have died, in the future. The lessons learned affect not only the USA but also other countries where similar risks exist.

However it should not bring disasters to bring about change. We need to think ahead and plan ahead with the best knowledge and tools that are available. It should not be case that we were not prepared because we had not experience it before! Other countries have and we need to learn from their experiences, as Portugal did following the 2017 fires.

What this shows us is the importance of preparedness and when fires do take place the need to have a basic understanding of wildfires behaviour especially those live in fire prone areas.

With that please have a safe week ahead.

News

“Aldeia Segura” program: more than half of the villages do not have an evacuation plan

More than half of the villages in the “Safe Villages, Safe People” program do not have a defined evacuation plan. The program covers more than 2,200 villages.

Created in 2018, the “Safe Villages, Safe People” programs aim to create protection zones and places of refuge, prevent people from fires and reduce the consequences in case of fires and possible evacuations.

There are currently 2,255 villages involved in this program. According to data provided by Jornal de Notícias, in the year of creation of the program, in 2018,

There were 1,793 villages, from then on the number has always increased. +170 in 2019, +29 villages in 2020, +65 in 2021, +176 in 2022 and lastly 12 villages in this last year, the lowest number of new villages ever.

The internet portal also shows that of the total of 2255 villages, only 918 villages have an evacuation plan, that is, more than half do not have this plan defined, but there is an increase compared to last year, of 60 new plans.

The latest data from this month show that Guarda, Bragança and Viseu are the districts with the most safe villages:

Guarda has 503 villages, 59 more than the previous year.

Bragança and Viseu have not changed in relation to last year.

The initially defined goal was 7,000 villages by the end of 2030.

In response to SIC, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority says that these targets may be revised but that the balance of municipalities and parishes is, so far, positive.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 7th August 2023

 

By David Thomas

Good afternoon everyone, the last few days have been dominated by the rural fires ion the mainland in particular the Odemira fire which was active for five days and was brought under resolution earlier today.

This and many of the other fires were largely predictable given the high temperatures, maximum fire risk in many parts of the country and fire danger at “extreme” and above in certain areas. Civil protection pre-positioned many resources in high risk areas accordingly. I outlined this on KissFm radio of Sunday and I hopefully the advice helped people in preparing and dealing with such fires.

It is important, however, to note that in forest fires it is not the high temperatures that produces the fires. In general it is human activity, often by carelessness, sometimes intentionally. The fires are facilitated by the existence of these high temperatures, the low humidity of the air, which make the vegetation dry and is more likely for it to ignite, and spread. We have to be even more careful. Unfortunately, we see that this is not what happens. Often, people undertake activities that they think will not have any consequences and cause these fires.

Safe Communities Portugal monitored the Odemira fire from the start and we created a major incident page on our website. To make it easier to follow. It was apparent from the outset that this would be a difficult fire to suppress, due to many factors such and deep and enclosed valleys which are difficult to access on land by fire fighters and track machines, the variable weather with high temperatures and in particular gusty and variable wind conditions sometimes up to 80 km/h.

These challenges were described by ANEPC as; “an area of interest approaching 9,000 ha, characterized by extensive areas of pine forest, adult and young eucalyptus, cork oaks, strawberry trees and bushes and a scattered building and rural/urban interface zones that required a dispersion of combat means for actions to protect the populations and protected heritage. As a result of the steep slope with embedded valleys, along with the constant reactivations, these became quickly out of suppression capacity, aggravated by the lack of conditions conducive to progression with crawler machines in the consolidation process”.

Taking advantage of improved weather conditions overnight 8th/9th August the fire has been brought to a resolution today, but with increasing temperatures in the Algarve later today, with an orange level warning in place, some reactivations are inevitable.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 5,529 fire events have already affected 19,106 hectares of rural areas. Yesterday: there 153 and 170 on Monday.

The question also arose whether or not the government should declare a Situation of Alert to help deal with the outbreak of fires.

Secretary of State for Civil Protection announced this was being assessed on Sunday, taking into account the operational response to combat the fires and weather conditions. However, “as time progressed”, and based on a permanent daily assessment, “the situation began to change slightly” to a meteorological picture quite different from the one that we had initially in the middle of the afternoon of Sunday”. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that this is an instrument absolutely exceptional, as well as the declaration of the state of contingency.

Let us hope that we do not have to embark on these sort of measures as we did in 2022 during the heatwave, when there were more fires over a longer period.

The response to the creation of our new Facebook group, Safe Communities Portugal has exceeded expectations with close to 1700 members in just 40 days since it was formed. This group fills a vacuum as its aim is to increase risk awareness and preparedness, so everyone knows how to reduce the impact of major disasters where possible and action to take during such events. We have covered major fire events and will continue to do so during the months ahead. We ask people to monitor closely weather reports and in particular fire risks and dangers.

With that please have a safe week ahead.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security report Wednesday 2nd August 2023

“Largest security operation ever planned and executed in Portugal”, (Secretary General Internal Security System)

Good morning everyone – World Youth Day has finally started yesterday and the final day is on 6th August 2023 It is expected to attract between one million over 1.5 million people from all over the world in Lisbon alone.

The main WYD initiatives will take place in Lisbon, in Parque Eduardo VII, in the Belém area and in Parque Tejo (north of Parque das Nações and on land in the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures).Some areas where major events will be extremely crowded, and travel routes in the vicinity of the areas will also be congested at times. An example there will be 343 check points to control access to Parque Eduardo VII.

Pope Francis will arrive in Lisbon at 10:00 am today Wednesday and return to Rome at 18:15 on Sunday.

This is an unprecedented security operation in which 16,000 members of the: security, civil protection and medical emergency forces will be deployed, with the collaboration of the Armed Forces and the Spanish, European (Europol) and international police (Interpol). The aim is to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit.

Some of the police operational work will included a major anti pickpocketing operation, assisted by representatives from police in, Germany and Belgium, and stepped beach patrols on beaches along the Lisbon Cascais line.

The weather will be hot but not a heatwave, and there are health pointed signposted at locations where the main events are being held. We urge people to drink plenty of water to remain hydrated and use sunscreen and wear loose fitting clothes and wide brimmed hats to protect from the UV, which is forecast to be very high.

Included in the security measures is a prohibition on certain items you can’t take with you to the JMJ main event venues. This included: drones, fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser pointers, knives, glass objects like bottles. Due to the relocation of Pope Francis to the Shrine of Fatima, the use of unmanned aircraft (Drones) in the Cova da Iria airspace will be prohibited from July 29 to August 6, 2023. At all times follow the instructions of the security forces.

As an innovative step the IPMA have launched a microsite with meteorological information for quick information available will be for the airport, Central and east Lisbon covering the areas where the highest number of participants are expected. This is in English and Portuguese and very well presented except we would like to have seen UV included.

World Youth Day will cause constraints to traffic, with absolute restrictions from Parque Eduardo VII to downtown Lisbon on the 1st, 3rd and 4th of August, and constraints in the Parque das Nações area and on the Passeio Marítimo de Algés in the August 5th and 6th. There will be certain stations on the yellow and blue metro lines where stations are closed. We recommend therefore that people use public transport, and for those registered, transport provided by the organisers.

We also highlight that waste produced must be deposited in containers for recycling and, if it is not recyclable, place it in the undifferentiated container; Do not discard waste as you can image the situation if everyone did this with over a million people attending.

With so many people some criminals may take advantage of this and we emphasize the importance of keeping your property safe. There are many tips on the WYD website (In English) but we highlight to carry your wallet/cell phone in your back pocket or backpack, store them in a front pocket or zipped pouch that is always in contact with your body; always have your mobile phone with battery and the contact details of the other members of your group. In such crowds it is easy for people to become detached from people in their group or family members so ensure that you have their details and all have details of accommodation of where you are staying.

For those of you from overseas we welcome you to Portugal and to events in Lisbon. Have a safe stay and enjoyable stay. Complete details are on the WYD website: https://www.lisboa2023.org/en and safety and security updates on the Safe Communities Portugal Facebook page and that of Brits in Portugal

News

WYD: PSP and GNR registered 43 occurrences and arrested 91 people on Sunday

Lisbon, 31 July 2023 (Lusa) – PSP and GNR recorded 43 incidents related to World Youth Day (WYD) and arrested 91 people in the last 24 hours, said the Internal Security System (SSI) today.

According to a note from the SSI, which contains data provided by the entities that make up the WYD23 communication cell, the Public Security Police detained, on Sunday, 83 people and the National Republican Guard eight.

Most arrests are related to driving with excess alcohol, driving without a legal license, drug trafficking, thefts and robberies.

In the statement, the GNR reports that it involved, in the last 24 hours, 1,769 military personnel in 621 patrolling and awareness-raising actions.

Of the 39 incidents related to WYD registered by the GNR, the corporation highlights the three identified unauthorized ‘drones’, in which it was possible to identify a citizen, and the disturbances in a nightlife establishment in the municipality of Vendas Novas, in which 11 were identified. citizens, between a group of residents and a group of WYD participants, as well as a pilgrim who was run over in the municipality of Ourém and who suffered minor injuries.

The PSP indicates that it registered four occurrences, three of which in Lisbon and one in Elvas.

The Police specify that, in Elvas, a pilgrim from Congo got lost from the rest of the group and, in Lisbon, in Parque do Perdão, an inscription in English with the meaning of “500 victims of abuse by the Priests” and, on Avenida Marquês Tomar, in the Nossa Senhora de Fátima Church, there was a disagreement between Egyptian pilgrims.

Also at the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, in Lisbon, the PSP reports that a pilgrim of Croatian nationality was the victim of theft, having had his camera stolen.

The PSP also indicates that, in terms of road accidents, it registered 103 accidents that caused two deaths and 42 serious injuries.

WYD, considered the biggest event of the Catholic Church that will count on the presence of Pope Francis, takes place in Lisbon from Tuesday to Sunday.

The main ceremonies of the day take place in Parque Tejo, north of Parque das Nações, on the riverside of the Tagus, in lands in the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures, and in Parque Eduardo VII, in the center of the capital.

PSP detected situations of fraud related to meals and transport of pilgrims

At a press conference on WYD security, Artur Querido, from the Foreigners and Borders Service, revealed that on Monday, July 31st, more than 150,000 entries were registered in Portugal.

“The first major challenge for the security forces, Civil Protection and emergency medical teams is posed today at the end of the afternoon with the mass in Parque Eduardo VII whose turnout can reach 200 thousand pilgrims”.

More than 2000 buses are expected in parking spaces and Lisbon residents “must be prepared” to feel the first major constraints. “Therefore, the words that are addressed to residents and workers are: understanding, patience, unity, civility and hospitality. We are used to receiving well and we will continue to do so”.

PSP, which also participated in this conference, spoke about some situations of fraud with meals for pilgrims. “We were faced with two criminal situations. One related to speculation, in which pilgrims are contacted by drivers supposedly hired by the organization to transport them to their reception places, later demanding large sums for that service”.

“Another situation that was reported to us is the fraudulent use of QR codes from the credentials of pilgrims who have the food service. Situation used in an abusive way and when the pilgrim is going to use the meal, someone else has already done so”.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 26th July 2023

Good morning – The main news for all the wrong reasons, this week, has of course been the intense fires in Greece, Italy Algeria and Tunisia; Greece feeling the brunt of this on the islands of Corfu and Rhodes.

This was not unexpected as we were forewarned beforehand, of the intense heat wave that would be affecting southern Europe with the presence of a “Heat Dome” duelled by heat from North Africa.

Coincidentally a subject that appeared to go unnoticed in the mainstream media that it was on the 23rd July 2018 when fires broke out in the region of Attica, Greece which resulted in the deaths of 100 people with a further 200 injured

 The fire ravaged over 3000 homes, leaving hundreds of locals to take shelter in vacant hotels, a summer camp and a nearby army centre.  Roughly half of those who died were aged 60 or greater, due to difficulty these individuals had evacuating their homes quickly, given the speed with which the fire spread. Eleven children perished in the flames. The vast majority of victims were Greeks; four tourists also died.

Very fortunately, hopefully due to lessons learned since then, in the fires in Greece on this occasion, comparatively few have been injured, and there has so far thankfully been no deaths.

As demand for air travel soars, thousands of people were evacuated from Rhodes because of wildfires fanned by high winds and extreme heat. Between 7,000 and 10,000 British people were thought to be on the island as the wildfires spread, according to the Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell.

There have been harrowing scenes involving evacuations with both residents and tourists trying to escape the approaching flames.  The international community has stepped up as usual, with firefighters arriving from several countries to assist their local counterparts. With the situation clearly dangerous in certain areas on the island of Rhodes, most airlines acted as you would expect by flying aircraft empty to the island and evacuating those who were eager to return home. The exception to this was Ryanair who said it continued to operate flights as usual to Rhodes airport – which is not in an area directly affected by the fires so far. The company operates flights to Rhodes from airports including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin. Despite the emergency evacuations and wildfires it said: “Ryanair flights to/from Rhodes and Corfu are currently operating as normal and unaffected by the forest fires.”

In our view and I guess the views of many, this was highly irresponsible clearly putting profits ahead of public safety. Rhodes is a relatively small island and increasing the population at a time when the authorities are dealing with a major catastrophe does not make sense.

In Portugal we have so far escaped the heatwave, but when we look back to June/July 2022, we were also in the grip of one with air temperatures in the mid-40s.C with very low relativity and on occasion’s strong winds. As a result we encountered major fires but fortunately these were not close to highly populated areas or major tourist resorts. As in the case of the Monchique fire in 2019. We monitored the fires during the period and what was obvious in these extreme weather conditions was the considerable intensity of the fires, how quickly they spread and how long they lasted – some over one week.

This is why it is important to be aware of the fire risks, study weather forecasts and be prepared.  Unfortunately most experts agree that the situation will become worse and this of course includes Portugal. We have been fortunate so far this year but let’s see what the rest of the summer brings.

News

Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.1 and 3.4 felt in Terceira and Faial islands

Ponta Delgada, Azores, 25 July 2023 (Lusa) – Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.1 and 3.4 on the Richter scale were felt on Monday in Terceira and Faial islands, the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA) reported.

According to CIVISA, the strongest earthquake, with a magnitude of 3.4, was recorded at 21:12 local time (22:12 in Lisbon) and had an epicentre around 39 kilometres west of Capelo, on the island of Faial.

The source said in a statement that the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in the parishes of Capelo, Castelo Branco and Pedro Miguel (Horta municipality, Faial) and with intensity III in the parish of Flamengos.

The three earthquakes recorded on Monday on Terceira Island occurred at 6:41 pm local time (7:41 pm in Lisbon), with a magnitude of 2.1; at 20:12 local time (21:12 in Lisbon), with a magnitude of magnitude 2.2; and at 20:13 (21:13 in Lisbon), with 2.4 magnitude.

The quakes had an epicentre about four kilometres northeast of Santa Bárbara.

Also according to CIVISA, earthquakes on Terceira Island were felt with maximum intensity III (two) and IV (one) on the Modified Mercalli scale, in the parishes of Santa Bárbara, Doze Ribeiras and São Bartolomeu, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.

Comment

There has been over one hundred very slight earthquakes west of Faial Island over the last two weeks, most not felt, with the exception of 4.5 magnitude 3 days ago.