Miguel A. Lopes / Lusa
Canadair plane
Morocco has made two aircraft available. Government tried to ask Spain for help – but in the neighboring country the situation is no better.
Heavy forest firing aircraft ‘Canadair’ that Portugal has out -of -servicetold Lusa a source of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (Anepc).
According to the same source, the two ‘Canadair’ aircraft affects the special device to combat rural fires (decir) were inoperative, existing a third to replace in case of any malfunctions, but that It is also out of service.
The Portuguese Air Force spokeswoman (FAP), which is responsible for the process of hiring forest fire fighting, told Lusa that the companies responsible for the rental and operation of the aircraft have to replace the ‘canadair’ out of service and are subject to penalties when the contracts do not meet.
Without Canadair, Portugal called the bilateral cooperation mechanism with Morocco And on Monday, two Canadair aircraft to combat fires.
According to a Mai statement, the Civil Protection Morocco Cooperation Protocol was called “immediately” following the malfunction of the combat device.
“The kingdom of Morocco responded promptly, making available two aircraft Of the Canadair type, which will reach national territory today (Monday) and will join the special device to combat rural fires (decir) by the end of this week. These aircraft will be operationalized from Monte Real Air Base, ”said May.
The tutelage also said that initially tried to find a solution with Spain, that “did not seem as possible due to the aggravation of the situation of fires rural in this country ”.
Also according to MAI, damaged aircraft need technical intervention, “ repayment No national device until the end of this week ”.
“The government, on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is very grateful for the prompt collaboration of the Kingdom of Morocco and reaffirms its commitment to ensure the operational response necessary for the protection of people, goods and the national territory,” concluded the Mai statement.
Over FailureFAP referred to companies to disclose information.
Avincis, the company responsible for the airplanes Canadair operating in Portugal in the fight against fires, said it was working to bring “as soon as possible” to Portugal two aircraft to replace those inoperative, from one of the other bases of the company in Europe.
The company did not advance, however, dates concrete for the arrival of aircraft in Portugal and has not clarified since or what are the reasons for heavy forest fires airplanes to be inoperative.
Portugal is in warning due to the risk of fire and in recent weeks have triggered several fires in the north and center of the country that have already consumed an area of almost 60,000 hectares this year.
