The Republican National Guard (RNG) is conducting Operation Safe Forest 2024 until November 30, strengthening awareness, surveillance and inspection activities in forest areas in the context of rural fire prevention and detection.
In a statement, the GNR said the operation, which began on Thursday and will end on November 30, also aims to “investigate the causes and crimes associated with bushfires, as well as review burnt areas, prevent, detect, combat and suppress illegal activities.” ensuring the safety of the population, its assets and the preservation of forest heritage.”
According to GNR, from 2013 to 2023 there has been a positive trend in reducing not only the number of fires, but also the area of fires themselves, with 46% fewer fires recorded. 72% less burned area compared to the annual average for this period.
According to GNR, 2023 was the lowest year for the number of rural fires and the third lowest for the area burned since 2013.
As for the causes of fires, the guard points out that fires and combustions account for about 32% of situations.
“In this sense, and for 2024, the priority is to reduce the number of fires through awareness-raising activities and demonstrations of the correct use of fire, in particular aimed at municipalities in which more than 100 fires have been recorded, namely Ponte da Barça, Paredes “, “Vila Nova de Gaia”, “Amarante”, “Penafiel”, “Lusada”, “Gondomar”, “Montalegre”, “Fafe”, “Arcos de Valdevez”, “Vila Verde” and “Marco” de Canaveses,” reports GNR.
The action will be carried out in collaboration with the Agency for Integrated Fire Management (AGIF), the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) and the National Emergency Management and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
During Operation Safe Forest 2023, the NDP detained 63 people and identified 970 crimes related to forest fires, while 3,292 administrative offenses were recorded for arson, failure to clear land and arson.
In the Operation Safe Forest 2023 report published on January 13, the GNR said there were 4,332 bushfire-related crimes recorded last year.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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