Four aerial assets fight flames in Pedrógão Grande
Authorities received the alert at 18:10.
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Pedrógão Grande
Leiria, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Pedrógão Grande.
Leiria, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Pedrógão Grande.
Authorities received the alert at 18:10.
AVIPG points out that the security of the territory “does not depend solely on State resources, but also on the attention, civic duty, and sense of responsibility of each individual.”
The mayor states that the municipality and residents have to support the inter-municipal company. He regrets that they are unable to take advantage of EU funds and challenges large cities to integrate with inland systems.
The mayor of Pedrógão Grande has argued for a national price for water, stating that inland municipalities cannot continue to pay for water and sanitation at prices much higher than those in large cities. He noted that they cannot keep paying significantly more than what is charged in urban areas.
Luís Neves reiterated that he will speak to journalists “at the appropriate time, when they will be able to ask all their questions.”
Mayor João Marques stated that there are already “people asking when they can sign up”.
The Los Gallardos fire, allegedly caused by a fallen power line, has already claimed 12 lives and is being compared to the Pedrógão Grande tragedy. In both cases, several victims died while trying to flee the flames. Speaking to Expresso, Domingos Xavier Viegas warns that evacuations must be decided in advance and that leaving an area threatened by fire at the last minute can prove fatal.
Residents who lived through the 2017 inferno are more safety-conscious today, but firefighters fear they are missing the boat on fire suppression efforts.
Marcelo, the 'President of the heart', attended a mass in Vila Facaia during Portugal's World Cup debut. Seguro declined an invitation due to his attendance at COTEC in Venice. Luís Neves requested to be present.
João says there were promises that never materialised after the fires that destroyed villages in 2017.
The Association of Victims of the Pedrógão Grande Fire (AVIPG) is holding a tribute this Wednesday, June 17, to mark nine years since the 2017 wildfires that caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. The programme includes the opening of the association's headquarters, a ceremony at the Memorial to the Victims of the Fires, and a mass. The 2017 fires in Pedrógão Grande and surrounding areas resulted in 66 deaths and 253 injuries, while subsequent fires in the Central region in October of the same year claimed another 49 lives. The memorial, which lists the 115 total victims from that year, was inaugurated in 2023 near the road where most of the June 2017 fatalities occurred.
On the day marking nine years since the Pedrógão Grande fire, the victims' association is opening its headquarters for a tribute to the victims, followed by a mass and a walk on Sunday.
Fires that broke out on 17 June 2017 in Pedrógão Grande and spread to neighbouring municipalities caused the deaths of 66 people.
Nine years after 66 people lost their lives in an abandoned eucalyptus forest, and just months after the same area was devastated again, we are entering what promises to be an infernal summer. The scenario is worse than in 2017 and it is not just in Pedrógão Grande. The legacy of the Pedrógão tragedy has consolidated every year since, and this January we saw the final masks fall.
The Union of Portuguese Misericórdias has money sitting in the bank. Not a single cent has been used in the last two years.
The electrical and pumping system collapsed. The memorial will be honoured this Wednesday, the anniversary of the June 2017 tragedy.
Nine years after the fires that killed 66 people, the victims' association warns of trees still left fallen and appeals to the Government to give 'great importance' to prevention.
A 'downburst' complicated - significantly - the firefighting efforts in Pedrógão Grande, 'propelling' the flames with 'extreme' violence. The approaching heat may bring convective wind gusts with some 'destructive power'. The phenomena are similar, but are distinguished by their degree of intensity.
A man was riding a motorcycle in a wooded area with some friends when he crashed.
The national commander of Civil Protection has warned of a high potential for forest fires in regions such as Pedrógão Grande, citing the natural regeneration of vegetation and the impact of recent storms. To mitigate these risks, authorities are increasing the use of fire retardants, reinforcing aerial resources, and improving coordination among firefighting teams for the upcoming fire season.
The work, a co-production between Alce Filmes (Portugal) and Epicentre Films (France), stars Betty Faria.
The President of the Republic visited the memorial for the victims of the 2017 Pedrógão Grande fires, heard testimonies from survivors, and pressured the Ministry of Internal Administration. “I do not hold executive power, but I have a voice.”
António José Seguro visited Pedrógão Grande, where he once again called for the clearing of paths and land.
Luís Neves appeals to all citizens to help curb the upcoming fire season, which he anticipates will be “very difficult”.
“I am an optimistic person and I believe the country is in great need of dialogue,” the president advised.
The President of the Republic argued during the election campaign that he would not enact the labour law if there were no agreement in social consultation.
Mayors hope that the President will have a central role in overseeing the implementation of the new plan announced by the Government, so that these instruments “are not just acronyms” and unfulfilled promises.
Two months after the storms that affected the centre of the country, the damage is still visible. At the Hotel da Montanha in Pedrógão Pequeno, work continues to try and recover what was lost.
João Marques, mayor of Pedrógão Grande, says the municipality has an “estimate of 12 million and 800 thousand euros in losses,” but as the days go by, “new cases are being discovered.”
João Marques highlighted that this amount refers only to damage to municipal infrastructure.
