Alentejo authorities launch initiatives to bolster civil protection and wildfire surveillance

Regional authorities in Alentejo, Portugal, are launching initiatives to strengthen civil protection and wildfire management in response to climate change risks.

The Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) has announced a competition worth 3.58 million euros to fund investments in prevention, monitoring, and disaster response. This initiative, aligned with the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection 2030, aims to increase territorial resilience and operational capacity for municipalities, fire departments, and humanitarian associations. The funding covers infrastructure, decision-support systems, and risk management planning, with application phases extending through late 2027.

In a complementary effort, the Intermunicipal Community of Alto Alentejo (CIMAA) has opened a public tender to expand its forest fire video surveillance system. The project, valued at approximately 637,430 euros, includes the installation of six fixed towers, two mobile towers, and a drone. These tools, equipped with visible and infrared detection technology, will be deployed across several municipalities, including Nisa, Gavião, Crato, Ponte de Sor, and Alter do Chão. The surveillance data will be coordinated with the National Republican Guard (GNR) to enable earlier detection of smoke and heat sources.