Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the National Operational Coordination Centre, at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Eduardo Cabrita said that, to date, the Republican National Guard has made 42 arrests and the Judicial Police 59.

“We have seen a very significant level of placing suspects under pre-trial detention or house arrest as part of the arrests made this year,” the minister said, warning of the importance of citizens’ behaviour.

According to the minister, around a third of the fires that broke out this year were related to negligent human action, including agricultural work or machinery.

The minister also indicated that 23 percent of the fires had an intentional cause.

Cabrita also noted the “very close” link between GNR and PJ and the other entities.