Expanded wildfire zone in Chaves may surpass 3,000 hectares
A significant forest fire is currently active in the municipality of Vila Real, part of the Vila Real district in northern Portugal. The fire, one of four major wildfires still burning in the northern regions, has been threatening the area for several days and has already reached nearby villages.
Affected Area and Fire Progress
The precise area burned in Vila Real is not yet known, but a large forest fire event near Vila Real and surrounding areas was detected on August 13. The fire near the village of Galegos da Serra in Vila Real municipality has shown several reactivations as recently as August 5.
The fire has progressed rapidly and randomly due to strong winds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. It entered the municipality through the Cambedo area and has since moved through Vilela Seca, the Tower, the Couto, Agrela, Bustelo, and Outeiro Seco. The current estimate for the burned area is between 3,000 and 4,000 hectares, although the burned area in the fire of 2022 was 3,368 hectares. The flames reached the business zone of Outeiro Seco.
Resources Mobilized
More than 800 firefighters are actively combating the fires in Vila Real and Mondim de Basto. In Vila Real alone, 522 firefighters are deployed. The firefighting effort is supported by approximately 282 vehicles and nine aircraft for aerial firefighting. Additional international support includes a 16-member special forces team from Latvia assisting ground operations in Vila Real. Overall, around 1,800 firefighters have been mobilized across various fires in northern Portugal.
Context and Safety Measures
Portugal has declared a state of alert continuing until at least August 7, in response to extreme heat waves that increase fire risk. Exceptional preventive measures have been implemented, such as prohibitions on movement and certain activities within forest spaces to reduce fire ignition and spread.
Summary
The forest fire in Vila Real remains active and substantial firefighting resources are engaged. Progress includes ongoing containment and suppression efforts with multiple reactivations noted. The speed of the fire's progression is remarkable, as highlighted by the mayor, Nuno Vaz, who called for a greater mobilization of resources, particularly aerial means with increased quantity and capacity. For the most precise and up-to-date figures on affected area size or containment status, consulting local authorities such as the Portuguese Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil (ANEPC) or real-time updates from emergency services would be necessary.
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