Latest news on the burning incidents in Portugal
As summer heats up, mainland Portugal is battling several significant wildfires in its northern and central regions. The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (NECPA) reports that firefighters are actively fighting several major fires, with important locations including Ponte da Barca, Arouca, Vila Real, Celorico de Basto, and Arcos de Valdevez.
The Ponte da Barca fire in the north has been described as unrelenting, threatening villages such as Germil, with calls for reinforcements due to its severity. The Arouca fire, which started on July 28, has six active fronts. It is large and complex to control due to rugged terrain and dense forests. Over 780 firefighters, 260 vehicles, and multiple aircraft are working there. The fire has led to closures of tourist attractions like the Paiva Walkways and a suspension bridge.
Other fires that have drawn substantial firefighting efforts are near Vila Real and Celorico de Basto, with almost 2,000 firefighters involved as of August 4. According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), conditions remain highly conducive for wildfires due to high temperatures (with parts experiencing up to 40°C), dry vegetation, and gusty winds, especially in interior northern and central regions, and the Algarve.
Efforts include extensive deployment of personnel and aerial support (planes and helicopters). Some fires are currently being controlled or are in resolution phases but still require close monitoring. Satellite-based fire detection data indicate that since late July, over 130 fires occurred with most suppressed quickly, but several major ones remained active, burning thousands of hectares.
In addition to the major fires, numerous rural fires have affected mainland Portugal since Monday, particularly the North, Central, and Alentejo regions. A brush fire in Gomide, Vila Verde, Braga district, is being fought by 101 firefighters, supported by 31 vehicles and three aircraft. The fire in Canelas and Espiunca, Arouca, has since spread to the municipality of Castelo de Paiva, involving 438 firefighters, supported by 156 vehicles and one aircraft. Villages have been evacuated due to the fires.
Six municipalities in the Faro district are also under a maximum rural fire danger forecast: Portimão, Silves, Monchique, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel, and Tavira. The IPMA placed all districts in mainland Portugal, with the exception of Faro, under an orange warning between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, due to "persistent high maximum temperatures."
A brush fire in Carregal do Sal, Viseu district, occupies 50 security and emergency personnel and 15 vehicles. The fire in Sobredo and Paradela, Vila Verde, was considered "stabilized" and approximately 60 people were evacuated on Thursday night. Forestry, agricultural, and livestock areas, as well as outbuildings and similar facilities, have been burned in the fires.
Much of the districts of Bragança, Guarda, and Castelo Branco are currently at maximum rural fire danger, according to the IPMA. Another fire in Penafiel, Porto district, has been burning since Tuesday and occupies 197 firefighters and 60 vehicles. A fire in Moimenta da Beira, Viseu district, is being fought by 118 firefighters, supported by 18 vehicles and three aircraft.
The same maximum rural fire danger situation is forecasted to continue in the coming days in the same regions. The IPMA forecast continues for the coming days in the same regions, with the high temperatures, dry vegetation, and gusty winds expected to persist. Despite the challenging conditions, the Deputy Secretary of State for Internal Administration, Paulo Simões Ribeiro, stated that firefighting resources are sufficient, but cannot be everywhere at once due to the numerous fires.
[1] Portugal News [2] Publico [3] RTP [4] IPMA [5] European Forest Fire Information System
- The environmental science community in Portugal is closely monitoring the ongoing wildfires, particularly the large and complex Arouca fire, to study their impact on the local ecosystem and wildlife.
- Given the persistent high temperatures, dry vegetation, and gusty winds, the weather forecast for Portugal highlights the need for continued vigilance and caution regarding potential environmental changes and the risk of new wildfires.
