The large forest fire that broke out Sunday afternoon (June 15) in Mexilhoeira Grande, Portimão, has been confirmed by PJ police as having been caused by a short circuit in a wood stacking vehicle in Escampadinho, near the Portimão Autodrome.
Ironically, the vehicle is thought to have been clearing the area in order to reduce fire risk – but the PJ has thus far been unable to give more details.
Contacted by the Resident, it simply said its investigation “is still in place”.
However, locals have been busy on social media describing how the wood-stacker was being used to clean up the forest area.
The fire, which devastated a vast tract of woodland and threatened to destroy numerous properties – especially in the area of Vidigal – was brought under control by nearly 200 firefighters who battled through the night until Monday morning.
Regional firefighters used 60 vehicles backed by two helicopters. They were joined during the night by another 30 firemen and six vehicles from Beja.
Fire chief Richard Marques told us how three firefighters had to receive medical attention due to smoke inhalation, while one suffered a sprained ankle. This was the first big fire in the Algarve this summer season.
According to data from the National Authority for Civil Protection (ANPC), over 3,500 fires were registered between January 1 and June 15 this year, with Porto, Aveiro, Braga and Beja being the locations most affected.
Data cited by Lusa news agency shows that out of the total (3,601 fires) registered, 2,113 were in woodland areas, 768 in forests and 720 affecting agricultural land.
Braga registered the highest number of fires (322), fought by 2,438 fire fighters supported by 762 vehicles and 17 helicopters.
