“The large-scale uncontrolled wildfires burning in the municipality of Covilhã, which are on the verge of entering the municipality of Fundão and could result in harm to populations, property, and the environment, justify the immediate adoption of exceptional prevention, planning, and information measures,” stated the local government in a social media announcement.
The statement indicates that the Municipal Civil Protection Commission unanimously decided to activate the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan starting at midnight today.
With the plan’s activation, the local authority in the Castelo Branco district aims to “ensure collaboration among various participating entities, guaranteeing the rapid mobilization of means and resources assigned to the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan.”
The plan also seeks to achieve “greater effectiveness and efficiency in executing orders and pre-defined procedures, thereby ensuring the creation of favorable conditions for the swift, efficient, and coordinated mobilization of all available means and resources in the Fundão municipality, as well as additional resources deemed essential and necessary to address the emergency situation.”
In another post, the municipality advised residents “to stay in safe areas, adopt self-protection behaviors, and follow the instructions of on-ground authorities.”
It also requested that unnecessary travel be avoided, “to prevent risks and to avoid interfering with rescue operations.”
Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Central regions, amid high temperatures that prompted the declaration of an alert situation from August 2.
The fires have resulted in two deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly minor, and have destroyed homes—both primary and secondary residences—as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forest areas.
Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss aircraft are expected to arrive on Monday to reinforce efforts to combat the fires.
According to provisional official data, as of August 17, 172,000 hectares have burned in the country, exceeding the entire area burned in 2024.
