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Forest fires in Portugal partially extinguished by firefighters' efforts

Portuguese firefighters succeed in subduing several forest blazes

Forest fighters in Portugal gain ground against spreading blazes in woodland areas
Forest fighters in Portugal gain ground against spreading blazes in woodland areas

Portuguese firefighters manage to suppress several wildfires - Forest fires in Portugal partially extinguished by firefighters' efforts

Portugal Battles Forest Fires amidst Increasing Wildfire Risk

Residents of the northern Portuguese village of Melres are facing a harrowing night as a forest fire approaches their homes, following a similar incident last year. Maria da Conceicao, a resident, expressed her concerns, stating that the fire is threatening her village once again [1].

Meanwhile, authorities are on high alert due to the fire risk. The fires near Santarem, Penamacor, and Nisa were brought under control during the night, as reported by Civil Protection. However, most of the firefighting forces are deployed in Arouca, a town in the center of Portugal, to extinguish a separate forest fire there [2].

In Arouca, 750 firefighters and 260 vehicles are working tirelessly to contain the forest fire, according to Civil Protection. This reflects the Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's assurance that the entire system is ready to react quickly to any fires [1].

Portugal's approach to managing forest fires is multifaceted, combining ecosystem restoration, nature-based forest management, community involvement, advanced firefighting technologies, and integrated rural fire management strategies [1]. For instance, Portugal is replacing fire-prone exotic species like Aleppo pine with native species such as cork oak and holm oak, which have natural fire-resistant traits [1].

The National Plan for Integrated Rural Fire Management (PNGIFR) coordinates preventive and firefighting interventions, involving land management, controlled burns, and firebreak maintenance. However, recent evaluations indicate a slowdown in implementation and concerns about insufficient policy support [2].

Community involvement is also crucial. Efforts involve local communities in managing fire risks and adopting nature-based solutions. Portugal participates in pan-European projects such as FIRE-RES, promoting innovations like drone surveillance, fuel mapping, prescribed burning, and fire-resistant construction tailored to regional needs [3].

Reinforcement of firefighting resources during high-risk periods is another key approach. When fire risk is extreme, as it is currently amidst high temperatures and dryness in July 2025, firefighting resources are intensified to respond promptly to outbreaks [2][4].

Despite these measures, Portugal faces challenges including arson, policy gaps, and underfunding of ecosystem services that limit effectiveness. Experts emphasize redirecting funds from firefighting alone towards long-term prevention via restoration and sustainable land management [1][2].

The frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events are increasing worldwide due to climate change, making Portugal's efforts even more critical in combating forest fires. The current fire in the Peneda-Geres National Park near the northern Portuguese town of Ponte da Barca serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle [1].

[1] Portugal's Wildfire Management: A Multidimensional Approach [2] Evaluating Portugal's Integrated Rural Fire Management Strategy [3] Innovations in Forest Fire Management: The Case of Portugal [4] Portugal's Wildfire Management: Challenges and Opportunities

  1. To address the recurring issue of forest fires, Portugal has been implementing a comprehensive community policy that includes vocational training for firefighters, promoting their skills in managing wildfires effectively.
  2. In an effort to combat climate-change and its impact on environmental-science, Portugal's firefighting force is using science and technology to implement strategies such as drone surveillance and fuel mapping in their approach to fire management.
  3. As the threats of forest fires and climate-change continue to shape politics, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis Montenegro, emphasizes the significance of general-news reporting on environmental issues, highlighting the importance of informing the public and rallying support for sustainable policies.

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