"The recent report from the Independent Technical Commission on Fires of 2025 says that the problem is that we have many ignitions, a lot of fires that start from human responsibility, whether through intent or negligence. And our great objective and challenge is, first, that there are no ignitions and, second, that we manage to maintain and improve the initial attack, whose success rate is currently 93 to 94%," Rui Rocha told the Lusa news agency.

The official was speaking at the end of the review meeting of the fire that broke out in Rochoso, in the municipality of Guarda, on 27 July, and which spread to the municipalities of Almeida, Pinhel and Sabugal.

Sense of responsibility

The Secretary of State for Civil Protection also appealed to the “sense of responsibility” of citizens, “especially in these more critical days, so that the utmost care can be taken.”

“It is also necessary to be vigilant and report to the authorities when we notice any suspicious movement, because reducing ignitions is indeed the great challenge, as well as maintaining and improving the success of the initial attack.”

That rural fire was brought under control in the early morning of the 29th and is believed to have consumed around 5,000 hectares of scrubland, pastures, and agricultural land.

The evolution of the flames also led to the closure of the A25 motorway and the National Road (EN) 16.

A week later, civil protection, firefighters, mayors, and the Secretary of State for Civil Protection analysed how the fight against the flames took place, which mobilised more than 700 personnel and eleven aerial resources.

"It was stated and explained here, technically and operationally, that the weather conditions were critical at certain times for the firefighting to have had a more favourable outcome than what was achieved," he added.

Criticism from local authorities

Faced with criticism from local authorities, particularly the mayor of Guarda, Rui Rocha appealed for "everyone to have the same level of information so that they can communicate and also understand what is being done."

What I reinforced today, once again, is the importance of local authorities monitoring these operations, because perhaps, if explanations are given at the right time, some of the criticism may be mitigated or even understood."

According to the government official, "in moments of greatest distress, when one is confronted with many things, with a lot of information, there must be the ability to make that assessment, with that rationality, and understand the operational aspects."

“This is without prejudice, and that is why I am here, to humbly note that there are one or two aspects that could be improved. Therefore, that is the objective of this meeting: to hear from those who are, firsthand, doing their best and dealing with the reality [of the fires].”