As online sites erroneously proclaim: “Brits warned not to visit Portugal”
With the constant mantra of international media attempting to suggest wildfires in Portugal this year are somehow worse than usual, the truth is that authorities appear to be positioning every possible resource to ensure whatever fires break out are tackled as swiftly and effectively as possible.
So far, the tactics have been working.
In spite of some truly ferocious wildfire blazes this summer, the overall tally of damages is down on those habitually suffered.
Thus while online sites erroneously carry articles that suggest tourists are being warned “not to visit Portugal” for example, here, authorities have just announced that for the next three days, 30% more GNR police agents will be deployed to help prevent forest fires.
Said minister for interior administration José Luís Carneiro following a meeting with the general command of the GNR this morning: “Today we have reinforced the patrolling capacity of the GNR forces by 30%. We’re going to have more than 5,200 officers on the ground to ensure observation of all attitudes and behaviours in relation to forest fires.
The hotter weather conditions and increased risk of fire have already led to a reinforcement of resources on the ground, which involved “920 more personnel who are at 230 fixed lookout points“, the minister added in statements to journalists.
In total, there are “more than 6,100 personnel actively monitoring and observing attitudes and behaviours on the ground“, he concluded, as temperatures today are reportedly even hotter than yesterday, although tomorrow should see them start coming down.
Source: LUSA
