The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Rui Rocha, appealed to individual conscience to avoid risky fire behaviors, warning of the increased difficulty in fighting fires when several ignitions occur almost simultaneously. In Boticas, as also happened in Vouzela, Ponte de Lima and Vila Flor, multiple ignitions were recorded, some during the night and on festive days, a period when aerial means are unable to operate. Rui Rocha recalled that, according to the report by the Independent Technical Commission, the overwhelming majority of fires have human origin, whether through negligence or malice.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) extended the yellow warning for hot weather until Saturday, expanding it from 11 to 14 districts, with several municipalities at maximum or very high risk of rural fire. The firefighting device "has already been boosted so that there can be greater readiness," according to the official, who reinforced the appeal for prevention, including not carrying out activities in the forest or near it that may cause fires.
Rui Rocha met in Boticas with fire brigade commanders, Civil Protection and local authorities to analyze the fires that broke out between August 15 and 20 in the parish of Ardãos and Bobadela, in the district of Vila Real, which affected 3,000 hectares. The Secretary explained that he is holding meetings in all locations affected by large fires to identify aspects that can be improved before the end of the device on October 15, not intending to wait for the new 2027 device.
Regarding the petition launched by residents of Carrazeda de Ansiães who criticize the management of the fire in Torre de Moncorvo by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, Rui Rocha stated that he awaits the delivery of the petition and that an assessment will be made to understand if something went wrong. The Secretary will be in Torre de Moncorvo and Arouca on Friday to continue these field meetings.
