The fire is currently under control, but several flare-ups have occurred due to erratic winds. Firefighters remain vigilant, with the command post active at the Oliveira do Hospital Municipal Center for Civil Protection,” remarked José Francisco Rolo.
In statements to the Lusa agency, Rolo explained that operations are underway using tracked machines to create discontinuity strips as a precautionary measure.
“Today, we have a large-scale fire ongoing in the Covilhã area and another fire, still quite active and intense, in Barriosa, within the neighboring municipality of Seia. There may be shifts, and the fire could re-enter the municipality of Oliveira do Hospital,” he stated.
According to the mayor, the fire burning in the neighboring municipality of Seia (district of Guarda) “requires significant caution, hence the state of alert and surveillance, and the presence of firefighters.”
“We are now six days in, and resources have been mobilized. The national director’s command option was to demobilize resources, which requires us to reorganize and deploy our firefighters on the ground while also participating in other regional operations,” he added.
One front of the Arganil fire, which broke out in the parish of Piódão, advanced on Wednesday to Oliveira do Hospital.
At that time, the mayor described the situation as “chaos” with a lack of resources.
Continental Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Central regions, amid high temperatures prompting a state of alert declaration since August 2.
On Sunday, the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, announced that the alert status due to increased fire risk was extended until midnight on Tuesday.
The alert status, which began on August 2, had already been renewed until midnight on Sunday and is now extended for another 48 hours.
The fires have resulted in two deaths, including one firefighter, and several injuries, most of which are minor. They have destroyed or partially damaged primary and secondary residences, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss aircraft are due to arrive on Monday to reinforce fire-fighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, by August 18, 185,753 hectares had burned in the country, more than the total area burned throughout 2024.
