António Cotrim / Lusa
The National Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection (Anepc), Mário Silvestre
Portugal asked the European Union four Canadair aircraft; Climacteric conditions did not allow some fireworks to be resolved.
Portugal today asked the European Union Four Canadair aircraft to assist in combating fires Forests.
During a press conference at the headquarters of the National Civil Protection Authority in Carnaxide, to account for the evolution of fires that plague the country, the National Commander of Civil Protection, Mario Silvestre, said that Portugal will be the seventh country to activate the European mechanism.
The authorities initially opted to resort to bilateral cooperation agreements with Spain e Morocco, Having this last country available two Canadair, which will be in Portugal until Monday. The Spanish means supported the fighting of the fireworks of Vide and Chaves, he said.
Mário Silvestre justified the activation of the European Civil Protection mechanism with the fact that weather conditions They have not allowed some fires at night.
About the fire of Blackboard “The most worrying situation in recent hours,” he said it was not possible to control it and the flames ran 30 kilometers in three hours, now having a perimeter of 208 kilometers.
“This was a decision due to tonight’s events” after “Difficulty suppression of fires In progress, ”explained Mario Silvestre.
The European Commission, however, told Lusa that it is “mobilize The support ”that Portugal asked, within the European Civil Protection mechanism, to help combat forest fires in the country.
“Yes, Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection mechanism, we are mobilizing the support that the country has asked for,” European Community Executive spokesman Eva Hrncirova told Lusa.
However, the same source revealed that “It will take some time” until the aircraft arrive in Portugalwithout specifying a date or when it will be expected to see the four canadair to combat the fires.
The president of the European Commission said that “solidarity does not know borders” and that “the support of four canadair planes is being mobilized to assist Portugal to combat forest fires.
“Our struggle against forest fires continues. Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection mechanism. European solidarity does not know borders. Our support is being mobilized,” he wrote Von Der Leyen on social networks.
Two Airplanes Fire Boss, provided by Sweden, should get to Portugal Not close domingo And join the fire fighting the next day, the government announced.
