Following the President of the Government's willingness to support the reinforcement of teams on the ground, as stated to the Prime Minister, the Government of the Azores will send a team of 55 firefighters from seven fire brigades of São Miguel and Terceira islands to assist in the fighting of fires in Mainland Portugal.

The members of São Miguel fire brigades departed today from João Paulo II Airport at 7 AM, while the members of Terceira fire brigades depart from this island at 10 AM.

This Special Fire Brigade includes 16 firefighters from Terceira Island: five from Angra do Heroísmo and 11 from Praia da Vitória. The remaining 39 firefighters are from São Miguel Island: 14 from Ponta Delgada, eight from Ribeira Grande, seven from Vila Franca do Campo, six from Nordeste and four from Povoação.

The team is headed by the Fire Brigade Coordinator of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), Luís Paulo Andrade, who will be assisted by the fire chief of Povoação brigade, Ruben Franco, and the fire chief of Praia da Vitória brigade, Alexandre Cunha.

In view of the country's situation and after the request for assistance, the SRPCBA has promptly contacted the Region's firefighters with the aim of establishing a special unit to provide adequate support in the fighting of fires.

Accordingly, the Government of the Azores demonstrates its solidarity and willingness to aid all firefighters who are fighting the fires ravaging the national territory.