The night proceeded well, and the efforts were favorable as the situation improved significantly. “We are trying to contain the fire, although there are still two active fronts,” stated Commander Nuno Fonseca at 09:00.
The commander of the Armamar Volunteer Firefighters noted one front is directed towards the village of Vilarinho, which is not at risk, while the other approaches Tarouca and Valverde, also posing no danger to the populations.
“Fortunately, the means deployed overnight helped control the situation, and with the arrival of aerial resources this morning, we expect further progress. We already have one aerial unit in operation and hope for more,” he added.
Fonseca emphasized that “the outlook is good, provided the weather cooperates.”
He also reported that the affected area consists mainly of undergrowth and pine forest.
The alert for the Vilarinho fire, located in the parish of São João de Tarouca, Tarouca municipality, Viseu district, was raised at 19:00 on Saturday.
At 09:05 today, efforts to combat the blaze involved 207 personnel supported by 67 vehicles and one aerial unit, according to the official website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
Mainland Portugal has been challenged by numerous rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Central regions, amid high temperatures, prompting a state of alert beginning August 2.
The fires have resulted in two fatalities, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly non-critical, as well as the destruction of primary and secondary residences and agricultural and livestock ventures, along with forested areas.
Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, expecting the arrival of two Fire Boss aircraft on Monday to bolster firefighting efforts.
Provisional official data suggests that by August 17, 172,000 hectares have burned across the country, exceeding the total burned area for the entire year of 2024.
