45-year-old operator is the 4th victim of the fires
Daniel Esteves, 45, is the fourth fatal victim of this summer's fires in mainland Portugal, particularly in the North and Central regions. The operator, working for Afocelca (a forest protection company owned by the pulp and paper groups Altri and Navigator), suffered 75% burns while fighting the flames in the municipality of Sabugal, RTP reported, and Observador confirmed this with a source from Civil Protection and Afocelca.
The firefighter was fighting the flames as part of a five-member team when he was struck by the flames on Tuesday. Stabilized at the scene, he was transported by INEM helicopter to São João Hospital in Porto. He remained in a "serious condition" for the last four days, until his death in the early hours of this Saturday, a hospital source told Lusa.
Afocelca explained to Observador that its mission is focused on environmental protection, with an emphasis on defending the forestry assets of Altri and Navigator. The raw material used in this industry is supplied by eucalyptus trees. Even so, "in 90% of cases," they operate "outside the assets of these companies," as was the case with Daniel's death.
"We operate independently, but in coordination" with the relevant authorities, explains a company source. "We have our own response based on the threat level and a coverage area of nearly 3 million hectares." The company is part of a special unit for combating rural fires nationwide, acting as an additional force, even though it is a private company.
"In this time of grief, AFOCELCA extends its most sincere condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of our deceased employee, and is available to provide all necessary support," the company concluded in its statement. Altri also expressed its deepest condolences on the passing of Daniel Filipe Silva Esteves.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also issued a note of condolence for the death of the Afocelca operative: “The President of the Republic offers his deepest condolences to the family of Daniel Esteves, Afocelca Forest Firefighter, who tragically lost his life while directly fighting forest fires in the municipality of Sabugal.”
Afocelca has between 400 and 500 personnel available to fight the flames, in addition to 60 air and ground resources.
Carlos Dâmaso, former mayor and candidate for the parish of Vila Franca do Deão, was the first fatal victim of the fires. He died fighting the flames that threatened the cows of the mayor who defeated him in the last election. His body was found on Friday, August 15th.
Two days later, firefighter Daniel Agrelo died in an accident while on his way to a fire. On Tuesday, 65-year-old Adolfo Santos was killed after being run over by his own tracked machine while fighting a forest fire in Mirandela.
observador
