The removal of the initial firefighting helicopter placed at the Aerial Resources Center (CAM) Moura, was made without any official explanation to the City Council by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority.
At the time of the Delta phase of DECIR 2024, the helicopter “disappeared” yesterday without a trace and today its intervention was requested in two fires, one in the municipality of Moura and the other in Serpa), but “missed calls”.
Upset with the situation, the president of the Moorish Municipality already received an email on the same day to the Secretary of State for Civil Protection expressing “the deepest displeasure at the removal of aerial means, without the municipality having been informed of the reasons for such a decision”, justified Álvaro Azedo.
Heard by Lidador News (LN), the mayor did not spare his words: “there was no decency in them telling us anything officially. We are oblivious to this situation and also ignored, despite the strong investments made in the CMA”, concluded.
Álvaro Azedo said that the departure of the helicopter will be linked to the fact that “the air operator is awaiting an operator certificate, issued by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC)", arguing that in this process “there was someone incompetent and should be responsible”, justified.
The device in question has been operational and of the five air assets based in Beja, Moura and Ourique, between 9 and 15 July, He made 9 missions with 65 unloading with a total of 4h15 flight time, being the one with the most missions assigned.
In the document sent to governor Paulo Simões Ribeiro, the Moorish mayor asks that “reposition a means that has proven to be of the greatest importance and effectiveness in the initial attack on rural fires”, adding Álvaro Azedo that the bureaucratic wait “leaves the municipalities of Moura completely unprotected, Canyons, Serpa, Vidigueira, Portel and Mourão”, finished.
Heard by LN about the departure of air transport from Moura, the commander of the Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of Baixo Alentejo (CSREPCBA), was very concise saying that “it exceeds my skills”, finished Carlos Pica.
Today's fire in Serpa
The fire that broke out in a forest area, in Montes dos Tasneirais, mobilized 102 operational, supported by 44 vehicles, and 10 CSREPCBA corporations, and six air assets. Four flame-fighting planes, in addition to a helicopter and a coordination plane. The flames began to burn at 3:10 p.m., and was only considered dominated at 7:27 p.m., there were no populations or dwellings at risk.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
