Portugal Forest fires - Summer 2010

The forest fires situation in Portugal is now calmer. The Italian planes, part of the European assistance through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, left Portugal on the 31 July and have safely arrived home.

During the last days in Portugal, the planes performed the following tasks:

  • On the 28 July 2010, after arrival from Italy, the planes were operational over a fire in the District of Aveiro, with a total of 52 water drops (26 each airplane).
  • On 29 July 2010 the Italian airplanes intervened in two fires: District of Porto, municipality of Amarante, with a total of 34 water drops (17 each airplane), and District of Aveiro, municipality of Arouca, with a total of 46 water drops (23 each airplane).
  • On 30 July 2010, the Italian air assistance was engaged in two Forest Fires: District of Porto, municipality of Marco de Canavezes, with a total of 62 water drops (31 each airplane) and District of Vila Real, municipality of Ribeira de Pena, with a total of 10 water drops (5 each airplane).

According to the Portuguese Authorities, the overall performance of the Italian assistance was extremely positive and a crucial contribution for the ongoing operations.

Portugal thanked the Italian authorities for having made the module available and also to all other Participating States in the European Civil Protection Mechanism for the offers presented – France and Greece.

2 planes from the Italian Civil Protection assisting, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Portugal in its forest fires extinction, photos taken by RENATO MARQUES from the PT National Authority for Civil Protection

2 planes from the Italian Civil Protection assisting,
through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Portugal in its forest fires extinction,
photos taken by RENATO MARQUES from the PT National Authority for Civil Protection