During the tenth rotation week, the risk of wildfires remained relatively low in both regions. So, whilst there were no major forest fires for the crews on the ground to tackle, they were certainly not idle. Both teams were called upon to carry out a varied range of operations, from intensive search and rescue operations to technical assistance and targeted training sessions.
Paredes de Coura: The search continues
For Team 10 in Paredes de Coura, the week began much as the previous rotation had: with the intense search for the missing woman in Rubiães. For days on end, our volunteers, together with the Portuguese services, combed through dense forests, mountainous terrain and riverbeds. Despite their exhausting efforts, unfortunately, the search proved fruitless.
Alongside the search operation, the team carried out a whole series of medical interventions. They also came to the aid of those involved in a road traffic accident in which a vehicle had veered off the road, and were called out to respond to a rather unusual report: a snake that had taken refuge inside a building.
Penela: Technical interventions and off-road exercises
In Penela, too, there were no major wildfires this week. The team did, however, receive a number of varied call-outs, the most notable incident being an exploding boiler in a house.As there were no major fire call-outs, Team 4 made the most of the time they had available. They carried out intensive training at and around the fire station, with a particular focus on off-road driving techniques in challenging terrain — a crucial skill for future operations in the Portuguese mountains.
