...goes out to the brave men and women who are risking their lives to save forrest, land, property and above all peoples lives.

Morroco, Spain, Germany and Russia - our gratitude also extends to those countries who recognized, that what we need right now is not assurances of financial aid, but rather men and equipment to contain this disaster. They have taken action to this end and are fighting along our national heroes to stop the flames.

It fills me with anger to see reports materializing, that this disaster is indeed man-made, speculative and calculated to the extent that human casualties are considered collateral damage.

I pray for rain and when the smoke clears, I hope that justice will be served in such an unprecidented way, that every arsonist in future will think twice about buying a box of matches.

G.

Who ever has started fires deliberately should be locked up in a secure psychiatric unit because anyone in their right mind would not set fires knowing the consequences would be death and destruction.

We hope that the lowlife responsible are caught very soon and these 'murderers' are brought to justice and given a sentence which will reflect exactly the seriousness of their crime and deter others

Our best wishes go to all our friends in Portugal and all the people risking their lives to try and put out these fires.

What more can be added to Gambrinus' words --he has said it all --all we need do now is to back them -- each one of us and thank God indeed for the ,men& women who put their own lives "on the front line" in order to save others.
G is perfectly right in saying that this is not the time to talk of getting further finances --but in the long run this is what it boils down to--since our time there and way before that, its always been voluntary "bombeiras" at Lagoa-- and we have to thank Germany for donating most of the equipment to the fire service along with wonderful people like Val Johnstone and her husband who have given endless hours in order to raise funds for the bombeiras and I believe are still involved.
Although its of most importance that you have the workforce you need to handle such a massive task --you still need the vital equipment to do the job particuarly where forest fires are concerned. You need large enough appliances to carry sufficient water and until governments are prepared to supply the funds youre going to get this happen time and again.
These are not my words but Hubs who speaks as a fireman/and officer of 23 years and worked in all manner of situations.
Meanwhile its down to the bravery of the volunteers -and I say God bless them all and keep them safe and echo Gs words --let there be rain!