“We have a small active front reaching the Varosa River, but the fire is now under control. We ruled it as dominated by 9 p.m.,” stated the commander of the Tarouca Volunteer Firefighters, Humberto Sarmento, to the Lusa news agency at 9:30 p.m.
Sarmento further mentioned that, “fortunately, this fire caused no significant damages, either to buildings or with any injuries,” and essentially burned “primarily shrubland and pine forest.”
The alert for the Vilarinho fire, in the parish of São João de Tarouca, municipality of Tarouca, Viseu district, was raised at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
By 9:35 p.m. today, the fire was being fought by 260 personnel supported by 85 vehicles, according to the official website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
The mainland of Portugal has faced multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Center regions, amid high temperatures, prompting the declaration of a state of alert since August 2.
The fires have resulted in two deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly minor. They have also fully or partially destroyed primary and secondary homes, 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 bolster fire-fighting efforts.
Provisional official data indicates that by August 17, 172,000 hectares had burned in the country, surpassing the area burned throughout the entire year of 2024.
