"The flames are 300 meters from the village. If there is no aerial reinforcement, the village will be surrounded by flames," Augusto Marinho told Lusa.

The mayor added that the population "has not yet been evacuated from the village because firefighters are evaluating all possibilities."

"It's impossible to fight the fire by spraying water. It has to be done on foot. There aren't many personnel here either. Support from aerial resources is urgently needed, as it would quickly help control the fire," he appealed, noting that the village, located in the Union of Parishes of Entre-Ambos-os-Rios, Ermida, and Germil, has about 40 inhabitants.

Augusto Marinho said he has already spoken with the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, requesting more aerial resources to stop the fire front threatening the village of Germil, in the municipality of Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo district.

Air resources are being requested, but "without removing one of the two aerial resources fighting the fire in Serra Amarela, which are supporting the on-foot firefighters. With the changing weather conditions forecast for the coming hours, the fire could become very difficult," he emphasised.

According to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) website, at 11:50 AM, the fire that broke out on Saturday night had mobilized 412 personnel, supported by 133 vehicles and five aircraft.

This morning, at 10:00 AM, the mayor stated that "during the night and early morning, the fire progressed very quickly toward the village of Germil" and that reaching that village was his greatest concern.

However, Augusto Marinho also highlighted the fire raging in Serra Amarela as another "concern."

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