“Today we have a 30% increase in the patrolling capacity of the GNR forces on the ground: We will have more than 5,200 on the ground ensuring observation of all attitudes and behaviours in relation to forest fires”, said José Luís Carneiro.

Lieutenant Colonel Vaz Alves, director of the GNR's Nature and Environment Protection Service (SEPNA), added that in the next three days "2,300 patrols from the GNR alone" will be on the ground in support and surveillance actions, with others joining the effort.

There are 230 lookout posts spread across the country, which "cover 73% of the surveillance of the entire country", and 143 video surveillance cameras that "cover 62% of the national territory", added Vaz Alves.

Weather conditions and the risk of fire led to an “increase to 2,300 patrols”, when on average there are only “268 daily patrols”, explained the SEPNA director.

The minister also recalled that, on Tuesday, the National Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) also decided to reinforce firefighter teams, after an assessment of the risk of fire, taking into account that it is expected that “temperatures can reach 45 .Cº in certain regions of the country”.