The Republican National Guard (GNR) arrested an 80-year-old man in the municipality of Vinhais, in Bragança, on suspicion of starting a forest fire on Saturday after a fire broke out while clearing agricultural land, as announced this Thursday.
The arrest took place on Saturday, the garda said in a statement, following a bushfire alarm. An investigation led to the identification of a suspect who claimed responsibility for the blaze.
The man told authorities the fire started when he used fire to clear the edge of a farmland plot.
In the same statement, GNR detailed that “approximately 0.22 hectares of forest and herbaceous plants were destroyed, and the fire was extinguished by Viñais volunteer firefighters.”
The elderly man was declared the accused and the facts were referred to the Bragança court.
Guardo recalled that combustion and burning are the main causes of fires in Portugal.
The guard also reminded that lighting fires, burning stacks and bonfires is prohibited in cases where the level of fire danger in rural areas is “very high” or “maximum”. At other times of the year, permission or communication is required.
To avoid accidents, the military advises to follow safety rules, always have an escort with you and take a mobile phone with you.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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