The Leiria Chamber asks the population not to burn

The Civil Protection Councilor of the Leiria Chamber on Tuesday appealed to the population not to carry out burning until mid-October, taking into account the high temperatures that are expected to persist until the 12th.

“Despite the fact that it is now autumn, the fire danger in the coming days remains high. People are expected to burn some agricultural waste as it is a common practice before the first rains. We ask you not to do this in the coming days,” Luis Lopez said.

The Socialist mayor stressed that “very favorable conditions are expected until October 12, in which the temperature will remain very high.”

Luis López added that there will be increased communication efforts, as well as proximity and “pre-positioning in the highest risk areas,” as happened last weekend.

High temperatures prompted the council to install a device with two lifeguards in Praia do Pedrogão last weekend, a situation that will be repeated next Saturday and Sunday, the mayor said.

“The turnout approached eight thousand people on both days. About three thousand on Saturday and five thousand on Sunday. “We did eight trauma rescues and one couple rescue on South Beach without any injuries,” he said.

The swimming season has ended, but “we will continue to monitor these fluctuating weather conditions and the influx of people to our two beaches,” he said.

The independent councilor elected by the PSD, Álvaro Madureira, warned of the impact of climate change on Praia do Pedrogão, noting the increased advance of the sea “toward the outskirts and the construction zone.”

“I ask the House to be aware of this phenomenon and to monitor the progress of the sea in relation to the buildings and road along the embankment. The granulometry of sand on a dune is much finer than on a beach. easily blown away by the wind and significantly damages roads and houses,” he explained.

Luís López said he met with representatives of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) this week over concerns about the “stability of the dune cordon,” which is declining.

“We want to understand whether any intervention is planned at the central level and whether the municipality is available when we can count on support from the APA for this purpose,” he said.

The environmental councilor also added that the municipalities involved in the Ovar Marinha Grande Coastal Planning Plan (POOC) hold regular meetings with the APA. “A new meeting is scheduled for October to discuss the review of the POOC, which has an impact on these options. [A revisão] It is extremely important that we can take other measures and even monitor the evolution of climate change,” he said.