Completed today, day 7 August, 18 years after the start of the big fires in Serra D’Ossa, in Évora district, occurred in 2006, This article is a tribute to all those who risk their lives fighting rural fires.
Rogério COPETO
Colonel of the GNR
Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
The fires in Serra D’Ossa de 2006 were the largest recorded in the district of Évora in this century and probably also in the last century, therefore having an obligation to remember this tragedy, so that it doesn't happen again, knowing, however, that much has been done to reduce the number of ignitions and when they occur, be the alert given in the shortest possible time, so that the means are immediately dispatched, according to the principle that “A fire in the first few minutes can be put out with a glass of water”.
But it is not possible to put an end to all fires, because its causes are complex and varied, every year is placed on the ground a device, composed of human and material resources, so that the consequences resulting from fires are as small as possible, especially in personal injury.
That is why, the fighters, who risk their lives every year to suppress fires, deserve our greatest recognition, It is therefore important to remember the tragic events of August 2006 na Serra D'Bones, where, with great risk to human lives, a fire of enormous proportions was managed to stop and which caused great material damage.
The facts reported in the following lines, serve to honor all those who year after year risk their lives fighting rural fires, especially those who fought the fires in Serra D’Ossa in 2006 and reports a first-person view of events, without prejudice to the existence of other more precise and complete.
Monday, day 7 August (1th day), at 11 am it started in Monte Infante in Serra D’Ossa, county Estremoz, a large forest fire, which immediately spread to the municipalities of Borba and Vila Viçosa, having reached the municipality of Redondo on that day, therefore it was necessary to reinforce combat resources, namely using a combat helicopter. From the first moment it was installed in the Theater of Operations (TO), the Advanced Command Post of the Évora District Relief Operations Command, which changed its position, taking into account the evolution of the fire.
Tuesday, day 8 August (2th day), Fire fighting is carried out by all fire brigades in the Évora district, having been distributed across the various sectors, whose responsibility was assigned to a commander. During the night the fire loses strength, result of favorable weather conditions, low temperature, high relative humidity and absence of wind.
Wednesday, day 9 August (3th day), as the night progresses, it appears that a large part of the fire perimeter is consolidated, but at 03:30 a reactivation was recorded in the Monte Abraão area and the fire resumed with great intensity, plowing towards Aldeia da Serra. As it was necessary to provide for the evacuation of Aldeia da Serra, several ambulances were moved to the village, some people were still evacuated. The fire was only stopped near the cluster of houses, particularly in backyards, with the combat taking place on top of the roofs of the first houses. Some of the most isolated houses were still surrounded by fire. That same night, the Honorable Mr.. Minister of State and Internal Administration and acting Prime Minister Dr. António Costa. The fire had several fronts.
Thursday, day 10 August (4th day), Fighting continues throughout the night and early morning, with record of several reactivations, both in Vale Abraão and in the area of Igreja da Virgem and Alto de São Gens. That morning there was a fire at Herdade da Contenda and the aim was to extinguish it., resources from the Évora firefighters were committed, Estremoz and Vila Viçosa, that after a first intervention, had to withdraw, due to intensifying wind. All vehicles managed to remove, without noticing that three firefighters from Vila Viçosa had been left behind. Immediately, several firefighters returned to the front of the fire and discovered that the missing comrades were inside the fire and unable to get out., due to smoke and disorientation associated with lack of visibility. At that moment, a firefighter from Estremoz ran towards the front of the fire, crossed the fire line and entered the burned zone, what seemed like an eternity, It didn't take more than a few seconds, having the firefighter from Estremoz, returned with one of the firefighters supported by his arms, with the remaining two immediately behind. At that moment I realized that I had witnessed the saving of three human lives, in an act of great heroism carried out by a Firefighter from Estremoz named José Pernas, having shown great courage and unusual disregard for danger and cold-bloodedness (the Estremoz City Council attributes it to 2007, the Exemplary Conduct Medal – Grade Silver). One of the firefighters had to receive treatment at the Redondo Health Center and was removed from the TO. That same day, an accident occurred in which an Arraiolos fire engine was involved., resulting in three firefighters being injured, who were evacuated from the accident site by helicopter and later by ambulance to Évora Hospital. Due to the fire at Herdade da Contenda continuing to rage with great intensity towards Aldeia da Serra, it was necessary to foresee, your evacuation again, with the Civil Governor, activated the District Emergency Plan. The responsibility for the evacuation of Aldeia da Serra was therefore attributed to the Commander of the former Territorial Group of Évora (now Évora Territorial Command), da National Republican Guard (GNR). For the purpose of collaborating in the evacuation of Aldeia da Serra, two Army platoons were activated, coming from Vendas Novas and Santa Margarida. To complement combat efforts, civilian tracked machines were also requested. (local authorities) and military (of Army Engineering), which proved to be fundamental for the fire to begin to be controlled from that moment onwards and which are today considered an essential means of fighting fires. The Honorable Mr. appeared at the TO for the second time. Minister of State and Internal Administration and acting Prime Minister, Dr. António Costa, having left TO only in the morning of the following day. As it is not necessary to evacuate Aldeia da Serra, the means were being demobilized throughout the night, namely buses and ambulances, who were mobilized to evacuate the population.
Friday, day 11 August (5th day), the fire at Herdade da Contenda was contained and considered extinguished during the afternoon, with the aftermath work having begun.
Saturday, day 12 August (6th day), the District Emergency Plan was deactivated and the aftermath and surveillance work continued.
Sunday, day 13 August (7th day), continuation of the aftermath and surveillance work.
Monday, day 14 August (8th day), the Advanced Command Post abandoned the Theater of Operations, finishing the work.
In addition to the work of the firefighters who fought the fire at risk to their lives,, It is only fair to also mention the actions of the GNR military, revealed that in all situations professionalism and selfless commitment, that day and night, for eight days, They did not falter before the effort increase that was requested them, having responded efficiently and effectively to all requests submitted to it, constantly adapting to developments in.
It is worth highlighting the performance of the military from the Redondo Territorial Post, who, as they had great knowledge of the area where the fire was burning,, were of enormous added value, as well as the military members of the Nature and Environment Protection Service structure (SEPNA) of the Territorial Detachments of Évora and Estremoz, who were tireless in collecting information that was later transmitted to the Command Post, as well as the extremely important role they played in informing the populations, who were at greater risk, anticipating in advance the possibility of evacuation, which is why there was no loss of any human life.
We end by wishing that in the year 2024 the fires that occurred in Évora are not repeated in the district of Évora. 2006 in Serra D´Ossa or in any other forest area in the country, knowing however that negligence is the main cause of fires in Portugal and therefore the responsibility passes to all citizens: Prevention starts with you.
Note: The text constitutes the exclusive and unique opinion of its author, which only binds to this and do not reflect the opinion or position of the institution where it provides services.
