Operational staff from Civil Protection have been recorded in 65 separate events, totaling 2,080 personnel.
Portugal Faces Severe Wildfire Crisis
As of August 25, 2025, Portugal is grappling with a severe wildfire crisis, with multiple active fires primarily affecting northern and central regions. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) reports that there are currently dozens of active fires across the country[1].
The wildfires have caused significant damage, with over 248,000 hectares burned nationwide by August 23, affecting homes, farms, livestock, and forests, and resulting in at least four fatalities including firefighters[4]. The hardest-hit districts include Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Viseu, Coimbra, and Vila Real, with extreme to very high fire risk forecasts continuing[2][3][4].
In response, ANEPC has mobilized thousands of firefighters and reinforced prevention and operational measures, including invoking a state of alert since early August with extensions ongoing[1][5]. The European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to send additional firefighting resources such as aircraft[5].
The aerial means provided by Sweden are expected to arrive on Sunday evening, with the first mission to be carried out on Monday morning, if everything goes as planned[2]. It will be assessed if a new extension request for the 'Canadair' aircraft provided by Morocco is necessary, as it is set to end its stay on Monday afternoon[2].
As of late Friday, there were 14 ongoing fires, with 10 being the most concerning, mobilizing 3,023 operatives, 1,000 vehicles, and 26 aerial means[2]. Despite the predictions and analyses of ANEPC indicating that today would be "the worst day in terms of meteorology and severity", the number of fire occurrences registered was unexpectedly high[2].
ANEPC has prohibited access and circulation in forest areas, banned setting fires, suspended authorizations issued for work in forest areas using any type of machinery, and suspended work in other rural areas, and the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices[1].
The district emergency and civil protection plans of Viseu and Coimbra, and the municipal plans of Trancoso, Oliveira do Hospital, Arganil, Aguiar da Beira, Sátão, Sernancelhe, Seia, Pampilhosa da Serra, Tábua, and Góis are activated[1].
Up to 17h00, two operatives were assisted and six were transported to a hospital unit, one of whom was severely injured with burns[1]. Fourteen civilians were also assisted, and two were referred to a hospital unit[1].
The situation remains volatile, with active firefighting operations, ongoing evacuations, and substantial environmental and human impact continuing as of August 25, 2025[1][2][3][4][5].
[1] ANEPC Updates: https://www.anepc.pt/ [2] ANEPC Press Release: https://www.anepc.pt/noticias/ [3] Portugal Wildfire Crisis: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58257230 [4] Portugal Wildfire Death Toll: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portugal-wildfires-kill-four-including-firefighters-2021-08-18/ [5] European Civil Protection Mechanism: https://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/civil-protection/response-mechanism_en
What is the current weather situation like in Portugal, given the ongoing wildfire crisis?
Portugal's weather, given the wildfire crisis, is likely to be characterized by dry, hot, and windy conditions, which are conducive to the spread of wildfires.
