Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony, the Regional Secretary for Civil Protection, Micaela Freitas, noted that this is the second consecutive year that an agreement has been signed with Garrison Regiment No. and highlighted that it was possible to double the resources deployed this year.

“Last year, there were two personnel and one vehicle; this year, two vehicles and four personnel,” she specified.

Field operations are coordinated by the Regional Civil Protection Service (SRPC).

The first patrol team has been in the field since Wednesday, and the second begins on July 15; both will remain operational until 30 September.

The military personnel’s role is to patrol the area and report any detected ignitions using equipment provided by the SRPC.