The Azambuja Volunteer Firefighters recorded approximately 1,002 incidents from the beginning of June to mid-August, a period marked by high operational demand and weather conditions favorable to rural fires. Despite the volume of interventions, the balance in the municipality is positive: there were no large-scale fires and the accumulated burned area does not exceed 1,500 square meters. The figures were provided by commander Thays Freixo, who attributes this result to early detection and initial attack response capacity.
Within the framework of the Special Rural Firefighting Device, the firefighters count 35 activations since June, 17 of which were for reinforcement missions outside their area of operation, having supported localities such as Cartaxo, Alenquer, Alpiarça, Almeirim, Coruche, Salvaterra de Magos, Algodres and Valpaços. The commander highlighted the coordination between the different protection and rescue agencies and the rapid mobilization of available resources.
The Azambuja Municipal Council maintains oversight of land not cleared by owners. At the executive meeting on August 18, councilor Ana Coelho revealed that non-compliance situations were reported to SEPNA and that the municipality is proceeding with coercive cleanings on land considered to be of higher risk. Ana Coelho acknowledged that the number of offenders makes it impossible for the municipality to replace all owners.
The councilor also clarified that a fire in Casais de Baixo during the summer originated from a damaged low-voltage power line. The owner of a residence had already alerted EDP to the situation and two technicians were on site when an electrical discharge occurred that caused the fire in the surrounding area. The incident was controlled without major consequences.
