The interior minister has asked mayors to make an “extra effort” to warn citizens of “responsible behavior” to prevent fires in rural areas, according to a letter released by the ministry on Thursday.
In the message sent this week, José Luís Carneiro recalls the “preparatory work” carried out in the fall and winter and emphasizes the “fundamental role” of mayors, since “they are most responsible for civil protection in their community”. The minister also underlined that 64% of fires since the beginning of the year were due to negligence.
“We made every effort to ensure that the conditions were in place so that, as in previous years, we could have a device capable of meeting what has long been a real national challenge. call on citizens to behave and act responsibly,” said José Luis Carneiro in the letter to the mayors.
In addition, regarding the conditions made available this year for the fire season, José Luís Carneiro noted that an amount of 54.7 million euros has been channeled to the Special Device for Fighting Rural Fires (DECIR), the 723 teams of permanent intervention in the bodies of firefighters and the 67 existing air resources, which represents an increase of seven resources compared to last year.
Armed forces affiliated with DECIR include members of the Special Force for Civil Protection, the Fire Department, the Institute for Conservation and Forests, the National Republican Guard, the Public Security Police, and the Afocelca forest protection company. “These entities are joined by the support of the IPMA, the PJ, the Armed Forces, AGIF, SIRESP and INEM, among others,” the letter read.
Without ceasing to invoke the risks caused by climate change and drought, the minister also emphasized the application on the national territory of more than a dozen technical guidelines from the analysis of the 2022 fire season and the reception of 65 firefighters from Slovenia and Finland , in addition to the integration of Portuguese air assets in the framework of the European firefighting apparatus.
“The protection of life, property and biodiversity depends on sustainable use of the forest, but also on structural prevention, community resilience and properly prepared and equipped combat equipment,” he summarized.
Source: DN
