The municipality of Covilhã, located in the Castelo Branco district, has urged residents to remain confined within their parishes and to choose a secure location to shelter. Authorities have also advised against traveling on roads in the parishes of Aldeia de São João de Assis, São Jorge da Beira, Sobral de São Miguel, Unhais da Serra, Cortes do Meio, Ourondo, Erada, Paul, Dominguizo, and Barco/Coutada.
On Sunday evening, the Mayor of Covilhã expressed profound sorrow over the death of a local firefighter who was en route to a fire front near Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis. The municipality declared three days of mourning beginning today.
“It is with deep sorrow that Covilhã City Council acknowledges the death of a firefighter from the Humanitarian Association of Covilhã Volunteer Firefighters, who perished in a vehicle accident while heading to a fire front,” read the statement.
As a result of the accident, four firefighters sustained injuries, with one in serious condition.
The Mayor wished “a speedy recovery” to the injured and, on behalf of the entire council, extended “sincere condolences to the family, friends, the Covilhã Volunteer Firefighters Corps, and all firefighters and civil protection agents who are currently battling the fire fronts in the Covilhã municipality and across the country.”
Mainland Portugal has been grappling with numerous wildfires since July, primarily in the Northern and Central regions, amid high temperatures that prompted the declaration of a state of alert since August 2.
The fires have resulted in two deaths, including one firefighter, and caused several injuries, mostly non-critical. They have also led to the destruction of 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 aid in firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, as of August 17, 172,000 hectares have burned in the country, surpassing the total burned area for the entire year of 2024.
