CIM do Alto Minho concerned about the withdrawal of the helicopter

The Alto Minho Intermunicipal Community (CIM) expressed concern this Friday about the relocation of a firefighting helicopter from Arcos de Valdevez to Portalegre, calling for reinforcement of resources in the event of a worsening of the meteorological or operational situation.

“It is essential that, in the event of a worsening of the meteorological or operational situation, the district fire-fighting system is reinforced quickly, namely with the allocation of air and land resources suited to the specificities of the territory”, states the CIM of Alto Minho.

In a statement sent to the Lusa news agency regarding the Government's decision to mitigate the absence of five aerial resources in the Special Rural Firefighting Device (DECIR) 2025, the entity that brings together the 10 municipalities of the Viana do Castelo district states that “ solidarity towards other regions of the country is unquestionable , but it is expected that, when faced with a specific need, Alto Minho can count on equal attention and timely reinforcement of resources”.

On Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Civil Protection said that to mitigate the absence of five air assets in DECIR 2025, one of the two air assets, which is still undergoing maintenance, will be moved from the Arcos de Valdevez heliport to Portalegre.

“We have had difficulties arising from situations beyond our control, namely the Air Force competition that was deserted and prevents us from, in the short term, having all the resources available that we would like to have”, Rui Rocha told journalists during a visit to the Castelo Branco Logistics Support Base.

For the CIM of Alto Minho, based in Ponte de Lima, the withdrawal of the aerial means takes place “in full preparation for the critical period of fires” in “one of the areas of the country with the greatest risk and history of rural and forest fires , especially due to its vast forest area, rugged terrain, population dispersion and the presence of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, an area of ​​high environmental, social and economic value”.

With a total area of ​​222 thousand hectares, the district of Viana do Castelo has 208 parishes, 99 of which (8.9% of the country's total) are considered priorities in the prevention of forest fires and where 1,185 priority places have been identified.

The Alto Minho CIM states that, “despite maintaining an aerial resource in Arcos de Valdevez, it maintains an active surveillance stance in the face of the challenges that lie ahead”.

“Understanding the need for balanced management of resources at a national level and expressing solidarity with other regions that, at this stage, may be more vulnerable, Alto Minho must maintain a robust and prepared device to face possible occurrences ”, he maintains.

It also highlights “the tireless efforts of all those involved in preventing and fighting fires — firefighters, forest firefighters, security forces, technicians and volunteers — who, year after year, have been instrumental in protecting people, property and ecosystems”.

The Alto Minho CIM, established in October 2008, encompasses the municipalities of Arcos de Valdevez (PSD), Caminha (PS), Paredes de Coura (PS), Ponte de Lima (CDS-PP), Valença (PS), Viana do Castelo (PS), Vila Nova de Cerveira (PS), Ponte da Barca (PSD), Monção (PSD) and Melgaço (PS).

DECIR 2025 provided for 79 aircraft, but at this time, just a few days before the Delta phase, considered the most critical, comes into effect (from Tuesday until September 30), five aircraft need to be guaranteed.

From Tuesday, Portugal can also count on a pair of Fire Boss medium amphibious aircraft, as part of the rescEU program, to act whenever national response capabilities are insufficient in extreme situations.

These resources involve an investment of around 2.6 million euros, 75% financed by the European Commission, and allow for a reinforcement of capabilities in aerial combat against rural fires.