José Manuel Moura was speaking to journalists in Vila Real, on the sidelines of Fénix 2026—a national exercise involving 300 personnel aimed at testing the response to rural fires.

The Civil Protection initiative included an exercise in Sequeiros, the first village in the municipality of Vila Real to join the national “Safe Village, Safe People” program, which encompasses 2,410 localities nationwide.

The official further noted that the program currently includes 2,034 liaison officers responsible for communication, 1,966 designated shelters prepared for evacuations, 704 evacuation drills conducted for preparedness, and 1,059 awareness-raising activities held to educate residents.

On 21 May, in Sequeiros, home to 11 residents, a fire drill was conducted. Villagers gathered in the square, prompted by the safety officer, who sounded the alarm siren using a megaphone.

Following the alarm, residents were evacuated in parish council vehicles to the Sanctuary of Senhora da Pena, a designated safe location.

José Manuel Moura stated that evacuation is not always the best course of action and that there are situations in which sheltering in place “can contribute to a more effective level of safety.”

He therefore emphasised that it falls to the on-scene operations command. He explained that determining how to protect people in the event of a fire requires real-time assessment, not a rigid protocol. of fire requires real-time assessment, not a rigid protocol. The ANEPC president underscored that while Civil Protection supports these efforts, the program originates locally, helping ensure better protection for the population.

In the case of Sequeiros, the initiative was launched by the Union of Parishes of Mouçós and Lamares. According to its president, Hélder Afonso, the parish aims to extend the program to all 26 villages, which together cover a large forested area and are considered high-risk for fire.

“The parish council aims to be a pioneer in the ‘Safe Village, Safe People’ program. The council is the body closest to the citizens. We are the ones who know the localities, the roads, the paths, and the people,” emphasised Hélder Afonso.

Hélder Afonso argued that the parish council should be included from the outset and provided with equipment, resources, and funding, observing that its role in the Civil Protection system is often underappreciated.

Exercise Fénix also showcased capabilities for initial and extended wildfire response, testing command post teams within the framework of the 2026 national operational deployment plan.

“In the national operational directive, there is an objective reinforcement of resources. We have more teams, more assets, more vehicles, and more aerial assets,” noted José Manuel Moura, who cautioned that, in the event of wildfires, there are other variables to consider, such as weather conditions.

Fénix is an annual exercise conducted by the ANEPC (National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority), which this year took place in Vila Real—partly due to the major wildfire that originated in Sirarelhos and affected this municipality during the summer of 2025.

When asked whether the country is prepared for a summer that is expected to be challenging, José Manuel Moura replied: “We have done everything possible to ensure our preparation is as thorough as it can be. This exercise is proof of that.”

He added that the goal is always to “find the best solutions to ensure that the operational structure, at any given moment, possesses the necessary tools to cope with a year that presents variables that could prove difficult.”

The ANEPC president also stated that this year, particular attention is being paid to the central region—which was battered by Storm Kristin—though he emphasised that one must not “lose sight of the rest of the country.”

He emphasised the need for preparedness nationwide.