Tiago Oliveira, former president of AGIF (the Portuguese agency for integrated forest fire management), officially resigned in May after a year of requesting to do so. Appearing before a parliamentary inquiry into wildfires, Oliveira explained his departure and leveled criticism at the agency’s current oversight. He argued that AGIF has experienced a significant loss of political influence since being removed from the direct authority of the Prime Minister’s office. Oliveira implied this shift in governance has negatively impacted the agency’s effectiveness. His testimony suggests a concern that diminished political backing hinders AGIF’s ability to adequately address and prevent forest fires. The inquiry is ongoing, seeking to determine factors contributing to recent wildfire events and assess preventative measures. His statements raise questions about the agency’s operational independence and its capacity to respond to future crises.