This Tuesday, September 17, more than 100 municipalities remain in maximum danger due to the risk in rural areas. In addition, given the severity of the fires in Portugal, the government has decided to extend the alert situation until the end of Thursday.
According to the newspaper Expresso, the fires have already caused four fatalities and at least 40 injuries. Faced with this scenario, it’s important to know how to help the firefighters, act in an emergency and even how to avoid exposure to smoke.
In this article, you’ll find all the information mentioned above, based on the requests for help from the fire department, but also the warnings to the population issued by the National Civil Protection Emergency Authority (ANEPC).
Table Of Contents
How to help firefighters fight fires in Portugal?
According to the official website of the ANEPC, at the time of writing this article, more than 3100 human resources, 900 land resources and 28 air resources are fighting around 140 fires. In this context, it’s important to know how to help the firefighters who are tirelessly fighting the flames.
First of all, it should be borne in mind that the needs of each fire department are specific, so it’s always best to contact the nearest local unit directly to find out specifically what is most needed.
However, according to Expresso, in general it is requested that some of the following products be delivered to barracks and headquarters:
- Energy drinks
- Small waters and juices
- Food with no or long shelf life
- Hygiene articles
- Plastic bags with handles, in order to facilitate the distribution of snacks among the operatives, among others.
What to do in case of risk?
Helping the fire department is important, but it’s also important for people to know how to act in the event of a fire risk. In this regard, we share the following recommendations from ANEPC.
In case of proximity to a fire:
- Call 112 immediately
- If you are not in danger and are wearing suitable clothing (long-sleeved clothing, boots and gloves), try to extinguish the fire with shovels, hoes or branches
- Remove the vehicle out of the way so as not to disturb the firefighters’ movements
- Do not hinder the actions of the responders at the scene and follow their instructions
- On sighting any suspicious/strange/risky behavior, inform the authorities
- If the fire is close to the house, you should warn the neighbors, cut off the gas, thoroughly wet the area around the house, as well as the nearest vegetation
If the fire gets close to the house:
- It remains important to warn the neighbors and wet the walls, roof and an area up to 10 meters around the house
- Close doors, windows, shutters and any other opening
- Removing furniture, firewood or tarpaulins near the house
- Remove anything that can burn from near windows, placing damp towels in the gaps
- If the necessary safety conditions are met, disconnect and remove the gas cylinders to a safer place
- If there is no danger, try to extinguish small outbreaks with water, earth and green branches
Whoever is surrounded should:
- Protect the head and the rest of the body by covering it
- Stay close to the ground, avoid inhaling smoke and breathe through a damp cloth
- Protect your face from heat and fumes with a damp cloth
- Try to get to a shelter and/or collective shelter; if it’s not nearby, look for a flat area with water and/or little vegetation
How to prepare for an evacuation in the face of fires in Portugal:
- Keep the most important household documents, as well as pets, in a safe and easily accessible place
- Have an emergency kit containing items such as your usual medication, first aid kit, toiletries, water and food, change of clothes, radio/flashlight/helmet and a list of contacts for family/friends
How to avoid exposure to smoke?
According to ANEPC, smoke from fires can have negative respiratory, cardiovascular and ophthalmic effects.
Therefore, some precautions are recommended:
- If possible, turn on the air conditioning
- Stay inside the house (if it’s not a fire-risk zone), with the doors and windows closed, to keep it cool
- Avoid outdoor activities
- Do not use combustion sources (incense, candles, tobacco, gas and firewood
- Keep your usual medication in a close and accessible place
- Use masks/breathers (N95)
- In case the situation worsens, groups considered more sensitive should be evacuated to air-conditioned premises
- Make sure you are up to date with all the information, stay hydrated and keep your home/room cool
Note from the Editor: it is important to keep a close eye on information and alerts from ANEPC on its official website.