A 16-year-old girl was detained by the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) on Tuesday in Ílhavo, Aveiro, for the crime of forest fire arson.
In a statement, the GNR explained that they responded to a fire alert and located the suspect burning clothing items nearby. She was detained.
The detainee was made a defendant, and the facts were reported to the Judicial Court of Ílhavo.
The GNR warns that “burning and wildfires are among the leading causes of rural fires in Portugal” and should only be conducted under strict safety guidelines, never when the risk of rural fire is ‘very high’ or ‘maximum’.
“The protection of people and property in the context of rural fires remains one of the GNR’s priorities, supported by preventive actions and patrolling efforts in forest areas,” the statement noted.
“Prevention is in your hands”: Tips to remember
- Never throw cigarette butts or litter on the ground: a simple mistake could cause a major fire;
- Keep your land clean around your residence, creating a safety buffer;
- Do not conduct open-air fires during high-risk periods;
- Avoid using machinery that causes sparks (brush cutters, chainsaws, etc.) during peak heat hours;
Saw smoke or fire? “Quick communication can save lives”
In a time of heightened risk, the Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil (ANEPC) has used its platforms to remind people what to do if they see smoke or fire nearby.
“Saw smoke or fire? Don’t hesitate. Call 112. Quick communication can save lives, protect animals and property,” reads a post.
The ANEPC additionally advises, in such cases, “not to try to extinguish” the flames; “move away” and “stay safe”.
Due to the maximum fire risk in several districts of mainland Portugal, the PSP has used its social networks to remind the public of measures to prevent fires.
Notícias ao Minuto | 17:54 – 15/07/2025
Burnt area this year nearly tripled compared to 2024
It should be noted that the burnt area this year nearly tripled compared to the same period in 2024, and the number of rural fires increased by 68%, according to statistics from the Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (SGIFR).
The new SGFIR portal, managed by the Agência para a Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (AGIF), indicates that between January 1 and July 11 (Friday), 3,202 rural fires broke out, burning 9,974 hectares. In the same period last year, there were 1,902 fires and 3,246 hectares of burnt area.
The burnt area this year nearly tripled compared to the same period in 2024, and the number of rural fires increased by 68%, according to statistics from the Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (SGIFR).
Lusa | 08:06 – 12/07/2025
In 2024, the burnt area was the largest in the past six years, with over 147,000 hectares burned due to 735 fires.
