Caution - Wildfires in central Portugal

[JCLima]

Hi!

Just a little warning for those doing the portuguese (from Lisbon) right now: there is a big wildfire in Pedrogão Grande e Figueiró dos Vinhos. It is not necessarily on the route but wildfires are impredictable and only God knows where will it be an hour from now.
There are people injured, missing and 19 people died. 16 got caught on their cars and 3 died on the street by smoke inhalation.

A little more south there is another one in Ferreira de Zêrere.

I dont want to scare anyone. I'm just really worried with what is going on and wanted to warn you all.

 

[JCLima]

There is a current article in the Portuguese press for a high fire danger, but are you writing about current fires or the ones in 2016?

It is happening as I type this message.
You can see it here: http://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2...soladoras-de-um-incendio-que-matou-19-pessoas

I'm watching it on TV (in Portugal).

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

At the moment there are 62 people killed and 20 people injured .

Please watch out when you are in the area.

 

[SabsP]

Devastating ! What is going on lately in this world. Such sadness. Praise to all the firefighters out there.

Here an English link.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40316934

 

[Paul McG]

Forest fires have devastated part of Portugal near to Coimbra. If you are walking the Camino through central Portugal please exercise extreme caution. The heatwave, the eucalyptus forests, and lightening storms have proven to be a fatal combination.

It's terrible news, and my thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this.

Once again: Stay safe!

https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2017/0618/883587-portugal-fires/

 

[t2andreo]

Regrettably, the victim toll has climbed significantly. Be careful out there.

 

[Finisterre]

Those poor people!
horrific!

Desculpe-me perdas.

 

[Anniesantiago]

This is a horrible fire. I don't know if there is any route through this forested area, but I hope not.
It's been devastating.
Stay safe, pilgrims.

 

[EmoJohnson]

Such grief. Heard the news via BBC this morning in NYC. If any fellow pilgrims on this forum have been affected by this tragedy, my thoughts are with you. Deeply saddened for Portugal.

 

[FamPed]

Please stay safe!

 

[amorfati1]

Such loss... so saddened. Prayers to everyone affected.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/18/...lumn-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

 

[Mike Savage]

What a horrible tragedy.

My thoughts and prayers are with them.

 

[dclink]

I am in the area right now. The fire is east of the Camino but nevertheless a terrible tragedy. Further t-storms are forecast for late tomorrow afternoon and I intend to be in a town by then.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

I have zero knowledge of the Camino(s) in Portugal. Is any of them in or near the area?

 

[JCLima]

I have zero knowledge of the Camino(s) in Portugal. Is any of them in or near the area?

There is a Camino 20 / 30km away from the fire.
At the moment, I dont think the fire will effect the Camino; maybe some smoke in the air but nothing more than that (at least it is what I'm hoping for)

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

There is a Camino 20 / 30km away from the fire.
At the moment, I dont think the fire will effect the Camino; maybe some smoke in the air but nothing more than that (at least it is what I'm hoping for)

Okay. I hope things will calm down...

 

[Jean françois]

Someone of the Facebook group said she could smell smoke from the Caminho.
pilgrim might want to stay out of bombeiros' way, as they are probably overworked

 

[Jean françois]

Okay. I hope things will calm down...

Based on what I got from news, it doesn't seem like it. 4 foyer still active, 5 villages evacuated. Temperatures still extremely high.

 

[BillyJane70]

Hi!

Just a little warning for those doing the portuguese (from Lisbon) right now: there is a big wildfire in Pedrogão Grande e Figueiró dos Vinhos. It is not necessarily on the route but wildfires are impredictable and only God knows where will it be an hour from now.
There are people injured, missing and 19 people died. 16 got caught on their cars and 3 died on the street by smoke inhalation.

A little more south there is another one in Ferreira de Zêrere.

I dont want to scare anyone. I'm just really worried with what is going on and wanted to warn you all.

This is so sad. I wish everyone a safe passage and prayers for all the life that has been lost. Fire is a powerful master.

 

[dclink]

I walked from Coimbra to Mealhada this morning. Fortunately there was some rainfall (though also some lightning) in the late morning. Everything got good and damp, which should hinder further fires. I hope they got some rainfall to the southeast where the fires are, too.

 

[Juno]

This is so sad. I wish everyone a safe passage and prayers for all the life that has been lost. Fire is a powerful master.

I'm walking the Portuguese Camino on the 1st of September and am very sad to hear about this fire which is ongoing. I'd like to add my thoughts and prayers to all of yours. What an awful time this is too with so many sad stories.

I've also heard from a fellow pilgrim who has just arrived in Santiago that there has been an incident, a car with four men stopped two French pilgrims and took all their valuables on the Grijo->Porto leg so keep a look out as I understand it's pavement walking. All the best to anyone out there now or going soon and anyone reading this.

 

[dclink]

I'm walking the Portuguese Camino on the 1st of September and am very sad to hear about this fire which is ongoing. I'd like to add my thoughts and prayers to all of yours. What an awful time this is too with so many sad stories.

I've also heard from a fellow pilgrim who has just arrived in Santiago that there has been an incident, a car with four men stopped two French pilgrims and took all their valuables on the Grijo->Porto leg so keep a look out as I understand it's pavement walking. All the best to anyone out there now or going soon and anyone reading this.

Thank you for posting this, I will spread the word.