Eight intermunicipal communities (CIM) criticized this Wednesday the rural fire danger cardthat they consider inappropriate for the territories and demanded to be heard in the elaboration of a new map that does not contribute to the desertification of the interior.
The inter-municipal communities were heard in parliament this Wednesday, at the request of the PSD, on the Rural Fire Danger Charter, a national instrument for planning measures to prevent and combat rural fires and which establishes conditions for activities in rural areas, but which has been challenged by local authorities, especially mayors, which has led to the discussion of changes to the law, published on March 28, 2022.
Those responsible for the CIM were unanimous in greeting the “suspension” of the danger letter, considering that there is “Situations that need to be clarified.“, with Luís Marques, representing the mayors of Beiras and Serra da Estrela, to warn of the limitations in the highly dangerous areas defined “without complying with the specifications of the territory”.
“You have to listen to the sub-regional entities and the mayors”, added the president of the CIM of Viseu, Fernando Ruas, expressing his concern that the letter, in the form in which it was approved, could “be a factor in increasing desertification“, given the prohibition of building on rustic land in areas of high or maximum danger.
This concern was supported by the representative of the CIM of Aveiro, who reminded the deputies that 75% of the territory of this region is in mountain municipalities, and by the representative of the Coimbra community, José Rolo, who, referring to the fires of 2017, “who have already severely punishedthe region, warned that this area cannot be doubly punished with the limitations generated by the areas of prevention and security.
Giving the example of the municipality of Oliveira do Hospital, which “everything turns red“, José Rolo warned that, either in this country or in other municipalities of the country, the letter can”cause greater danger”, leading to disinvestment in the area of tourism, building, agriculture and livestock.”
On behalf of the CIM of Leiria, Paulo Batista Santos recalled that the country, which had about 32% of the territory considered high risk, happened, with the new letter, to have municipalities in which the risk areas suffered “a significant increase”, giving the examples of Castanheira de Pera “which went from 16 to 89%; Figueiró dos Vinhos from 16% to 90% and Pedrógão Grande from 32 to 85%”.
Values that led to Paulo Batista”conclude that the model [da carta] was based solely and exclusively on past events [os incêndios de 2017]without looking at the territory and what the evidence is today.”
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The same criticism was expressed by the leader of the Beira Baixa CIM, João Carvalhinho, pointing to the case of Oleiros, with 93% of the territory considered to be at high risk, which “is almost like closing the territory” to any investment or activity.
For representatives of all the CIMs it is necessary “change the methodology” of elaboration of the letter of danger and adapt it to each municipality, admitting “some flexibility“, added the president of Médio Tejo, Anabela Freitas.
In the region that has “85% of the territory painted red,” the official warned that, in periods of maximum fire risk, the two forest sapper brigades “cannot do anything” or even cannot be “investments that were made on footbridges, or paths in forest spaces”.
Agreeing that the danger letter is a fundamental instrument, the executive secretary of OesteCim stressed that “will condition all investments in the territory” and that, without looking at this variable, one will be looking at this instrument very vertically without realizing the scope that the measurement can have.
Hence “the need to evaluate the corrections based on the territorial reality”, said Paulo Simões, endorsing the call of the mayors to be heard in the definition of a charter more adapted to the national reality.
These were also arguments signed by the PSD, which requested the three hearings on this day and reiterated the importance of the Government”work with municipalities“.
The PS, for its part, reiterated its willingness to correct and improve this instrument, pointing out that the Rural Fire Hazard Letter was prepared according to international criteria and with the scientific support of entities such as the General Directorate of the Territory (DGT) and the Agency for the Integral Management of Rural Fires (AGIF).
Finally, Chega considered that it was not clear that the letter was suspended, asking the Government to clarify the situation.
Source: Observadora
