Fire?

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 6:44 pm

Here's a story on the fires from the Guardian..........

http://www.guardian.co.uk/naturaldisast ... 09,00.html

karen · Post by **karen** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:09 pm

Thanks Digger for your comments. My observation was that the way the story was reported last night was not a positive for the tourism industry 'Horror for Holidaymakers' is a damaging statement.
On a personal note I do have a property on the Algarve and I would not rely on ITN to tell me it had gone up in flames.
Like many other forum members I use news agencies, friends and contacts to keep me up to date with the fires and potential risk areas.
I sincerely hope the slightly cooler temperatures on the way will help the situation.

digger · Post by **digger** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 10:15 pm

'Horror for Holidaymakers' ……that kind of stuff is pure sensationalism; and for 99 percent of readers/viewers it passes them by…… but for people who live here or have any kind of special affection for the place, it’s nothing but an unwelcome misinterpretation of the truth…….

dutchie · Post by **dutchie** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:08 pm

hi Ellie, this morning no ashes on the terras and a clear sky. More to the east we still see fire-clouds and we just heard that there is help on the way from Greece. Hope they all together can stop the fire.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:17 pm

Thanks Dutchie, keep us all informed when you can. Mike

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:06 pm

I flew back from Portugal yesterday and the plane had to go through the smoke of the fires. It was so thick that you could actually smell the smoke inside the plane.

I got there on the Friday and immediately noticed a small fire on the way from the airport and everyday I noticed another fire spring up.

When we flew over the smoke, we could actually see the fires. It was quite scary.

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 2:04 pm

Guardian article: There are fires in 14 out of Portugal's 18 districts, where temperatures of more than 40C (104F) and strong dry winds have fuelled flames.

That is just wrong - it is supposed to read 14 out of 18 districts have been put on high alert because of the high temperatures. The new alert scale is supposed to support the population in assesing the dangers caused by high temperatures. Besides the high fire risk there is also serious health risk due to the excessively high temperatures. People in the high alert districts are advised to avoid sun exposure and drink lots of fluids.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 4:50 pm

driving to Carvoeiro from Carvoeiro this afternoon the sky was still clear near Ferragudo and Carvoeiro but at the horzon we could see thick fire-clouds. It must have been in the area of Alcantarilha or more to the east.
Near here it looks okay.

dutchie · Post by **dutchie** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 4:55 pm

sorry, forgot to log in

Blobby · Post by **Blobby** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:41 pm

It is actually even more east Dutchie. In the area north east of Loulé, or rather north of Almancil. Due to the change of wind (coming from south now) it does not look as bad, but i can assure you it is raging north of the hills there. Saw some choppers there carrying water, but it was by far 'under control'. Other areas seem rather quiet at the moment, let's hope it will stay like that, but in all honesty, and due to last years experiences, I seriously doubt it...

ana · Post by **ana** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:23 am

Actually there was a fire quite near Alcantarilha yesterday. It was behind Poço Barreto. It started lunchtime and was under control by late afternoon but is still smoking.

dutchie · Post by **dutchie** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 12:46 pm

that's what we have seen then. I also heard about the fire near Loulé, must be pretty bad. Here everything is still clear, sun shines as if nothing happened. Portuguese people are rather upset about the news that everything comes down to the additude of the portuguese government.
They say it has to do with people ignoring the sign not to burn dirt during summer.

judge · Post by **judge** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 1:07 pm

Dutchie schat , het is nog erger dan je dacht.!!!

Read today that Portuguese government DECLINED help from other countries who wanted to send helis and planes to fight these fires.....
They say everything is under control !!!!! My ass...

Currently over 300 firefighters with 40 vehicles trying to save houses in and around loule area . BUT the euro 2004 was a great success !!!!!!!!!!
Prime minister buggered off to Brussels to make a shitload of money for giving craptalk. ( sorry about my language but have to when I get upset )
NEW priminister left his old job as mayor of Lisbon with a defecit of 100 MILLION EUROS created in less that 2 years. Spent it on parties and publicity . So another bullshitter !!!!! in the topjob....

They don`t give a shit about the poor bastard who lost the little he had and burned down during last years and this years fires.

BUT THE EURO2F.....ING4THOUSAND WAS A GREAT SUCCESS...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 2:00 pm

Yup...this is Portugal and you are absolutely correct....I was jumped on when I said 'Most people dont give a dam unless politics and money are involved.....I love this place but I also get real mad as I see this country slowly going down the river as beaurocracy and corruption grow in () proportion.....I personally think that the Algarve will slowly sink back to the 'Good Old days !!!' as the EC expands we will be left way way behind ..a very poor nation indeed....and all it takes (Sorry to sound rediculously simplistic) is a government that cares ...starts to kick out those lazy Camara beaurocrats and educate a modern work force...and begin to cut all this corrupt red tape.so we can start to invest freely and build industry / commerce etc...but of course it will never happen and in the meantime I gave up the thought of investing here years ago....why throw away a fortune when I can just laze by the pool....and enjoy myself....Szzzz

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 6:31 pm

Come on guest, is it that bad? Hi Dutchie, what's the latest?