A fire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon, September 6th, in Barranco da Vaca, Aljezur, has been put out with the help of five specialist firefighting aircraft.
According to José Amarelinho, mayor of Aljezur, the fire most likely was started by a brush-cutter being used by a member of a maintenance crew clearing scrub near EDP cables and electricity poles.
The fire started at 2:43 pm and, in addition to air support being called in, 121 firefighters from six stations rushed to the scene. A massive Canadair firefighting aircraft was used to dump water on the area, back-up for the helicopters buzzing back and forth.
The daytime temperature remains in the 30s across the region which is still on ‘high risk’ status for fires as there has been no significant rainfall throughout the blazing summer period. There was little wind today, helping to contain the fire.
José Amarelinho also recalled that, for the same reasons, a fire broke out in the same place two or three years ago and he praised the rapid response of the firefighting service which ensured his part of the Costa Vicentina was not extensively damaged.
