The means will be mobilized between July 1st and September 30th, in the so-called Charlie phase, which requires greater operational commitment.

The second-in-command of the Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of Beiras and Serra da Estrela, João Rodrigues, stresses that "it is a flexible device that can be increased according to the risk of fire".

The air resources will be located in Guarda, Mêda, Seia and Covilhã.

The Special Device for Fighting Rural Fires (DECIR) 2024 for the area of the Intermunicipal Community Beiras and Serra da Estrela (CIM-BSE) was presented this morning in Gouveia, in the district of Guarda, with the presence of the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Paulo Simões Ribeiro.

The government official stressed that during the most critical phase, the operational staff will be "ready to give their best and serve in the territory".

To journalists, Paulo Simões Ribeiro recalled the importance of prevention and stressed the role of private individuals and local authorities in reducing possible situations that contribute to the occurrence of incidents.

"I am sure that they are doing everything possible to reduce and create conditions so that these occurrences can occur", he said.

For the president of CIM-BSE and also president of the Municipal Council of Gouveia, Luis Tadeu, the device presented "will always be sufficient if the human hand is not responsible, as it is".

The mayor stressed that "there could even be two thousand men and it would not solve anything because it depends on the people".

Luis Tadeu defended that it is necessary for people to be aware and careful so as not to cause situations. "Last year went well. What will happen depends a lot on what they do. Perhaps because of the result of 2022, people were more careful. That is what is most important".

The CIM leader admits some fear regarding next summer, taking into account the characteristics of last winter. "In this territory, in very rainy winters and with snow, there is a lot of material available. It depends on the human hand", he insisted.

Luis Tadeu also pointed out that two years after the great fire in Serra da Estrela "there is greater articulation between the partner entities and a greater capacity for reaction".

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