As you are probably aware, we had a large wild wire start very close to the Quinta one week ago (Blog Posts : Day 1 & Day 2). One week on and all that remains (apart from the odd smouldering areas) is a totally devastated area.
Although a large fire, this fire is not on the same scale as some previous fires (you may remember my video Consequência from 2018), however, having it so close to your home really enforces the reality of how serious these fires can get.
I have made a short film to bring you the scenes of the devastation these fires cause. Although this area will recover in time, the many Cork Oaks that have been destroyed can not be replaced in for a generation. It is not until you view the size of the area from above that you realise just how quickly an area can be destroyed and when I first saw these scenes it really made it a reality on how lucky we were to have the wind moving this in the opposite direction to the house.
I have also taken the opportunity to raise some awareness for the fantastic voluntary work the “Assoçiação para Alerta de Incêndio Florestal” that Debby Burton and her team (of which I am proud to be a committee member) carry out to support both the local community and the amazing Bombeiros (firefighters). Please visit the Assoçiação para Alerta de Incêndio Florestal Website for more information and of course, donations are always welcome.
There is some information about some of the scenes below the film. Just for your info, the film does start silent until the title screen.
{Remember to watch in HD if possible}- The opening scenes are snippets from the Live Facebook videos I was running during the fire
- The white spots scattered around the black landscape is where Cork Oak trees once stood, they have been totally destroyed
- The clip of the hole that is still smouldering is again the remains of a Cork Oak tree that has totally burnt through to the roots
- Whilst there are many Cork Oaks destroyed, some of the ones that still have leaves (albeit scorched) may survive. Cork Oaks can repair their bark, which is why the Cork is able to be removed. However, those that have been harvested recently and within the past couple of years may not be so lucky
- I am a little unsure of the story behind the Bee Hives. They seem undamaged but in a very burnt area. I’m not sure if the Bombeiros protected them or if the Bee Keeper has returned them to the area, but of course, there are no plants for the Bees
As always, I would like to express my huge thank you to the teams of Bombeiros, ProCiv, GNR and the locals with their machinery that helped to get this fire under control and extinguished before reaching any properties in the area.