“At this moment we have five incidents that are of greater concern, some of which have been ongoing for several days,” highlighted the situation in Piódão (Arganil) that “has also moved into the district of Castelo Branco,” stated José Ribeiro, the deputy national commander for Emergency and Civil Protection.
In addition to Piódão, authorities are concerned about fires originating in the village of Santo António (Sabugal), Valverde da Gestosa (Mirandela), which has an active front in Vila Flor, Vilar de Perdizes (Montalegre), continuing from a fire that started in Galicia, and Selores (Carrazeda de Ansiães).
These five incidents “involve 2,709 personnel, supported by 902 vehicles and 35 aerial means,” explained José Ribeiro.
The deputy national commander for Emergency and Civil Protection noted in a press conference that by 5:00 PM today, there were “a total of 59 new incidents, involving a total of 1,288 personnel, supported by 342 ground means and we have had a total of 139 aerial missions so far.”
“In parallel, we are maintaining the resolution of a total of 48 incidents, and although these incidents are being resolved, they require the presence of 1,309 personnel, supported by 403 vehicles and with the support of ten aerial means,” added the official.
José Ribeiro expressed “deep solidarity with all the citizens who are being heavily affected by these extreme fires that have plagued Portugal in recent weeks” and “a word of encouragement to all the operatives who are fighting the flames over these days.”
Today, one operative was attended to, and three were taken to hospitals, along with three civilians who were attended to and another three who were taken to hospitals.
Additionally, “there was an incident involving a vehicle from Afocelca (association of firefighting protection companies), resulting in serious injuries to one member of this force, while the other four team members suffered minor injuries.”
“Today we maintain level 4 of the special readiness state and we will keep it until tomorrow when it will be re-evaluated,” noted the official.
The “district emergency plans of Coimbra, Guarda, and Castelo Branco remain activated,” along with the “municipal emergency plans of Trancoso, Oliveira do Hospital, Arganil, Aguiar da Beira, Lousã, Castelo Branco, Seia, Pampilhosa da Serra, Góis, Guarda, Covilhã, and Fundão.”
Continental Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, especially in the North and Central regions, amid high temperatures that led to the declaration of a state of alert since August 2nd.
The fires have caused two fatalities, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly minor. They have destroyed or partially destroyed primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock businesses and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss aircraft arrived to reinforce firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, by August 19th, more than 201,000 hectares had burned in the country, more than the total area burned in all of 2024.
