Fighting blazes in Portugal: More than 1,600 firefighters engaged in action
As of early August 2025, multiple significant wildfires are active in Portugal, particularly in the districts of Viseu, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, and Castelo Branco. Here's an update on the status, resources involved, and latest developments:
Viseu (Moimenta da Beira)
A fire in the parishes of Paradinha and Nagosa, which started on August 1, is still ongoing. Around 118 firefighters, supported by 18 vehicles and 3 aircraft, are engaged in firefighting efforts.
Viana do Castelo (Ponte da Barca, Lindoso area in Peneda-Gerês Natural Park)
This fire, ongoing since late July, remains out of control due to difficult mountainous terrain and strong winds. Nearly 400 firefighters are involved, supported by numerous vehicles and air units. Evacuations have been carried out in several mountain villages, with residents taking temporary refuge. The fire has triggered the activation of the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan, mandating citizen compliance with emergency directives. A firefighting vehicle accident caused five injuries (none severe).
Aveiro
While specific fires in Aveiro were not detailed in the August 1 report, the district is among those affected in the wider regional wildfire outbreak requiring large firefighting deployments.
Castelo Branco
Although specific updates for Castelo Branco fires on these dates are limited, the region is noted as part of Portugal’s central areas affected by the wildfire wave, with thousands of firefighters mobilized.
Reinforced aerial resources are being deployed to combat these fires, but some may still take longer to reach the fire sites due to safety concerns and poor visibility due to smoke. A total of 1,612 firefighters and 509 ground resources are involved in these fires.
The situation in the village of Fornos de Carvão, in Arouca, Aveiro district, which was evacuated overnight, is calmer. The fire in Arouca is being fought by 578 firefighters, 180 ground resources, and two air resources.
In Mangualde, Viseu, 173 firefighters are fighting the fire, with 45 ground vehicles and two aerial vehicles. In Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo district, a fire is being fought by 92 firefighters and 26 vehicles.
Portugal has more than 2,600 firefighters actively combating fires across the country, supported by hundreds of vehicles and over 20 aircraft. The country faces recurring wildfire challenges exacerbated by climate change, land management issues, and a high incidence of human-caused fires, including arson. The ongoing situation requires extensive emergency coordination and continues to demand significant resources.
For the latest updates, it is recommended to check real-time sources due to rapidly changing conditions.
In the ongoing wildfire crisis in Portugal, the fire in the Lindoso area of Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo, remains out of control due to challenging terrain and strong winds, requiring nearly 400 firefighters and extensive aerial resources. Meanwhile, in general-news, the weather section reports that while specific fires in Aveiro were not detailed, the district is part of the wider regional wildfire outbreak requiring significant firefighting efforts.
