The burning of Siralhelhos in Vila Real causes me the greatest concern
Wildfire Rages in Vila Real, Portugal
As of early August 2025, a significant wildfire continues to burn in the district of Vila Real, Portugal. The situation remains serious, with emergency responders working tirelessly to contain the blaze.
The largest fire, located in the pine forest area of Sirarelhos, has spread to the nearby town of Gontães. The fire has mobilized an impressive force of 522 firefighters, 90 vehicles, and seven aerial means. The state of alert, declared by the Minister of the Interior, Maria Luísa Amaral, is in effect from 00:00 today until 23:59 on Thursday due to extreme heat and heightened wildfire risk.
Alexandre Favaios, the president of the Chamber, made a statement about the fire to journalists in Gontães at 11:00, expressing gratitude to the firefighters for their tireless efforts throughout the night. He also acknowledged the many needs and emphasized the importance of managing resources thoughtfully.
The fire in Sirarelhos is considered very difficult to control due to the extreme temperatures (up to 44°C), ongoing heatwaves, dry conditions, and difficult terrain in northern Portugal. The Peneda-Geres National Park, part of which overlaps the Vila Real district, recently suffered a large fire that burned over 5,700 hectares of protected forest.
In addition to the fire in Sirarelhos, two other fires started in Vila Real on Saturday, affecting the areas of Torgueda and São Cibão. The fire in São Cibão, which has spread to Sabrosa, remains active with 278 personnel, 91 vehicles, and four aerial means on the ground. The fire in Arrabães (Torgueda) is in the consolidation phase and does not pose great danger.
The work between ground and aerial means is emphasized in the fight against the fire in Sirarelhos. This includes the deployment of a 16-member special forces team from Latvia, who have joined ground efforts to support the response.
As of now, no villages, people, or property are at risk due to the fire. However, the challenging conditions and responder fatigue have prompted calls for reinforcements. Portugal has experienced a surge in wildfires this year, with over 5,200 fires burning nearly 42,000 hectares nationwide by early August, mostly in northern districts including Vila Real.
The government and emergency services have deployed roughly 2,440 firefighters, 766 vehicles, and 13 aircraft nationally, with concentrated resources in Vila Real to contain the active fire and prevent further damage. Despite the efforts, the current status in Vila Real involves a major ongoing wildfire with intensified human and aerial firefighting resources amid challenging weather and terrain conditions.
- The wildfire in Vila Real, Portugal, has sparked interest in the general news, as well as environmental science, due to its impact on the local ecosystem and the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.
- Amidst the ongoing wildfire in Vila Real, updates on the weather and its role in exacerbating the situation are crucial for both the science community and the general public, as they help in predicting the behavior of the fire and planning appropriate responses.
