Portuguese Gendarmerie Detains Over 130 People for Arson Crimes

The National Republican Guard of Portekiz (GNR) officially announced that it has detained a total of 134 people for the crime of starting forest fires this year. The institution significantly increased the number of patrols across the country following the rising risk of rural fires and maximized the number of teams on standby. According to the official statement, the majority of those detained were linked to inappropriate attitudes during the use of fire, particularly negligent behavior. Authorities warn the public that such negligence could lead to catastrophic fires in the rural and forest areas of Portekiz. The tightening of preventive measures is seen as a critical step to prevent loss of life and property during this period when temperatures reach dangerous levels.

Throughout this week, GNR will focus on field operations as nearly the entire country is under maximum, very high, or high fire risk categories. The institution has launched large-scale operations, particularly to inspect compliance with fire safety regulations on-site, aiming to protect society and secure national forest assets. Aerial and ground patrols are operated 24/7 to ensure early detection and rapid intervention in case of a fire. Law enforcement, showing relentless effort, aims to minimize the risk of fires in rural areas by accompanying the implementation of safety norms in the field. GNR officials emphasize that despite having comprehensive readiness and surveillance capacity, ultimate success depends on the responsible behavior of individuals.

In parallel with the increasing fire risk, GNR has brought the absolute bans and restrictions mandatory in rural and forest areas to the public's attention. In this context, smoking, lighting open fires, or starting a fire of any size in forest and agricultural areas is strictly prohibited. Additionally, burning agricultural waste and launching spark-producing rocket fireworks or fire balloons are among these bans. Engaging in beekeeping activities with devices without spark arrestors, as well as driving tractors and heavy vehicles without proper flame-arrester and exhaust system equipment in these areas, constitutes a crime. In the event of a breach of these rules due to negligence, judicial proceedings are initiated against the perpetrators and penal sanctions are applied.

Since the beginning of the year, GNR has carried out over 4 thousand 680 awareness activities aimed at the local population to increase social awareness before the start of the dangerous months. Teams in direct communication with the public provided landowners with the necessary consultancy on ways to reduce risks and placed over 8 thousand 549 warning signs. These training and inspection activities are of great importance for the cleanliness of rural areas and increasing resilience against fires. Furthermore, the institution affiliated with the Portekiz Ministry of Internal Affairs keeps the 'SOS Environment and Territory Line' (808 200 520) active for citizens who wish to report environmental and rural violations. Thanks to this telephone line, citizens who detect suspicious situations or illegal actions can report them to authorities in confidentiality.

On the other hand, the latest assessments published by the Portekiz Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) reveal that over one hundred municipalities in the northern and central inland regions of the country are under maximum fire risk as of today. Additionally, 10 municipalities in the districts of Évora, Beja, and Faro are listed at the highest danger level, while the rest of the entire Portekiz mainland is evaluated under very high or high-risk categories. As an exception, only 19 municipalities on the coasts of Leiria, Lizbon, Coimbra, Aveiro, and Porto are marked as relatively safer zones due to humidity levels. In Portekiz, which is under the influence of a severe heatwave, temperatures reaching extreme levels further increase concerns. IPMA has placed the districts of Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre under a red alert, the highest level, until 23:59 today, and this warning is expected to continue as an orange alert until Wednesday morning at 09:00.