LISBON, Portugal – The Portuguese government put the whole country on high alert on Monday due to the increased threat of forest fires.
The high temperatures of recent weeks have left many forest spaces dry, and the declaration of alert status to officials to suspend firefighting resources for immediate deployment.
Portugal deeply distrusts the risk of forest fires after two primary fires killed 106 other people three years ago. Large wildfires occur each and every year, with poor forest control responsible for repeated outbreaks.
The government announced a 48-hour state of alertness through Tuesday. It was the moment in 10 days when the government had taken the plunge in a torrid July. Shadow temperatures in some indoor spaces are expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98.6) on Monday.
On alert, the public to forests is blocked, fireworks are prohibited and farmers cannot use machinery in wooded areas, among other measures. The police and the rangers want to create patrols.
He says he has more than 12,000 firefighters, more than 2,500 cars and 60 planes waiting for wide water.
The Civil Protection Agency reported any primary fires Monday morning.