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Three Operational CL-215 Aircraft Boost Portugal's Wildfire Fighting Efforts
Portugal has bolstered its firefighting capabilities with the arrival of two refurbished CL-215 turboprop water bombers from Morocco, bringing the total number of operational aircraft based in Castelo Branco to three as of mid-August 2025.
The announcement was made by Maria Luíza Amaral, the Minister of Internal Administration, following her visit to ANEPC. She made the statement to journalists, explaining that the replacement of the aircraft by the company Avincis has now been completed.
The two replacement aircraft, which joined DECIR until the end of this week, underwent repair by Avincis before returning to service. This restoration of the full fleet under the 2025 contract provides crucial capacity to combat wildfires simultaneously.
The three operational CL-215 aircraft are a significant addition, particularly for managing multiple fires, especially in difficult terrain, and improving flexibility during the intense wildfire season.
Unfortunately, several fires have broken out in the north and center of Portugal, consuming more than half of the approximately 75,000 hectares burned this year. The extension of the alert status is due to 22 consecutive days of intense heat that shows no signs of easing.
The fires that have broken out in recent weeks have further increased the total burned area, underscoring the importance of these additional aircraft. The replacement aircraft are operating from the Monte Real Air Base and are used to support Portuguese authorities in fighting fires throughout the country.
It is worth noting that a third replacement aircraft was also inoperational, serving as a backup in case of any breakdowns. However, no new information about the operational status of Avincis' aircraft or the replacement aircraft from Morocco was provided.
In addition, no new information about the Fire Boss aircraft leased from Sweden was provided in this paragraph. Despite this, the increased number of operational aircraft offers a glimmer of hope in Portugal's ongoing battle against wildfires.
The Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Luíza Amaral, also stated that the Government is extending the alert situation due to the ongoing intense heat. She made the decision after activating the bilateral cooperation mechanism with Morocco.
[1] Source: Noticias de Portugal (2025), "Portugal recebe dois aviões canadianos para combater incêndios" [Portugal receives two Canadian aircraft to combat wildfires]. Retrieved from https://www.noticiasdep.pt/pt/noticias/portugal/portugal-recebe-dois-avioes-canadianos-para-combater-incendios-1420796.html
[3] Source: Expresso (2025), "Portugal recebe dois aviões canadianos para combater incêndios" [Portugal receives two Canadian aircraft to combat wildfires]. Retrieved from https://www.expresso.pt/nacional/portugal-recebe-dois-avioes-canadianos-para-combater-incendios-2121027
- The government has extended the alert status due to the ongoing intense heat, recognizing the critical role that science, particularly environmental science, plays in understanding and combating climate change-induced wildfires.
- The general news this week has been dominated by wildfire incidents, emphasizing the importance of politics in securing critical resources, like the recently arrived CL-215 aircraft from Morocco, to strengthen Portugal's wildfire fighting efforts.
- The increased operational capacity of Portugal's firefighting fleet, consisting of three CL-215 aircraft, has been instrumental in addressing the challenging environmental situation, signifying the intersection of politics, science, and environmental conservation in addressing climate change.
