Firefighters comprising seven airmen and 135 operatives combating blazes in Sabrosa
Portugal Declares State of Alert for Forest Fires Amid High Risk
Portugal has announced a state of alert for forest fires throughout its continental territory, effective from Sunday to Thursday, due to the significant risk of wildfires in the coming days.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Luísa Amaral, in a statement to the country. The state of alert entails increased preventive and restrictive measures aimed at reducing fire risk amid high temperatures and dry conditions.
The measures include prohibiting public access to forests, banning machinery use that may spark fires in forests and certain rural areas, and prohibiting fireworks or other ignition sources in these high-risk zones. The goal is to minimize potential fire outbreaks during periods of heightened danger.
The state of alert does not affect the ongoing firefighting efforts in Sabrosa, Vila Real district, where a fire is currently being fought. The firefighting efforts involve 135 personnel and seven aerial means, and more than an hour after the alert, 32 vehicles are involved in the combat. No injured people or houses are at risk in the Sabrosa fire.
The public is advised to monitor local media and follow guidance from authorities. Increased preparedness and deployment of firefighting units, as well as public advisories to follow safety precautions and official instructions, are part of the state of alert framework.
This framework is part of Portugal’s effort to mitigate wildfire risks under intense heat and dry conditions, especially given recent trends of aggressive wildfires and substantial land burned in 2025. The state of alert is a precautionary measure to ensure safety.
The state of alert does not change the firefighting efforts ongoing in Sabrosa. The alert was announced without taking questions, and the alert for the fire was given at 14:23. The state of alert will come into force at 00:00 on Sunday and will last until 23:59 on Thursday, August 7.
- The government has announced a state of alert in Portugal, emphasizing the high risk of climate-change-induced forest fires, particularly in light of recent environmental-science evidence showing aggressive wildfires and substantial land burned in 2025.
- With the state of alert in place, weather forecasting plays a crucial role in predicting and preparing for potential fire outbreaks, as the weather conditions contribute significantly to the fire risk amid high temperatures and dryness.
- To combat this escalating threat, science-based weather-forecasting models are being utilized by the Portuguese government to optimize weather-forecasting accuracy and aid in proactive environmental conservation and fire-risk management strategies.
