The extensive wildfires have destroyed many stretches of fiber optic cables that can only be replaced after the firefighters’ work is complete and safety conditions are established for technicians to access the areas, explained the National Communications Authority (Anacom). The agency confirmed that rural fires have indeed affected electronic communication services, particularly fixed and mobile services.
The authority has maintained contact with major operators who have mobilized their teams for the rapid restoration of services. They are making every effort to mitigate the impact of fires on communication services, with ongoing restoration work in consolidated areas.
Initially, Beira Alta was the most impacted region, especially in the municipalities of Meda (Guarda) and Penedono (Viseu), but the main concern now is the spread of the fire in the municipalities of Covilhã and Fundão (Castelo Branco).
Portable stations, generators, and satellite links have been used to maintain basic voice and data services on mobile networks as much as possible, further explained the regulator.
Meanwhile, E-Redes clarified that the low voltage (LV) electrical network damaged by recent fires has been progressively repaired, with work still ongoing. This process is being closely coordinated with the authorities, particularly Civil Protection, to ensure safety during repairs.
Low voltage is the part of the network that delivers electricity to end consumers, such as homes and small businesses.
The electricity distribution network operator estimates that there are still some unreported outages located in remote villages scattered across the municipalities where fires are still active with more intensity.
Regarding the medium voltage (MV) network, which can affect the LV network, some outages occurred during Tuesday night, early morning, and today in areas affected by the fires, especially in Arganil, Mirandela, Montalegre, and Sabugal.
The resolution of these incidents was, in some cases, hindered by difficult access for technical teams, noted E-Redes, assuring that all situations have since been resolved, and the MV network is currently operating normally.
Portugal has been affected by multiple large-scale rural fires since July, mainly in the North and Center regions.
The fires have caused three deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some serious, and have completely or partially destroyed primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forested areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes arrived to aid the firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, by August 20, more than 222,000 hectares had burned in the country, surpassing the area burned in the entire year of 2024.
