The fire in Pampilhosa da Serra, which ignited in the neighboring municipality of Arganil a week ago, now has “small outbreaks and hot spots,” Jorge Custódio stated.
In this municipality located in the interior of the Coimbra district, the day was marked by “dozens and dozens of reignitions” over an extensive perimeter, where the wind did not help, the mayor noted.
According to the Mayor, firefighters and local residents, “with their own vehicles and tanks,” managed to extinguish the reignitions that multiplied around the perimeter throughout the day.
“We hope now, between the end of the day and the beginning of the night, to consolidate all these hot spots so that we can start having some peace,” emphasized Jorge Custódio.
The mayor noted that a night of work is expected to consolidate the perimeter of the fire.
In addition to Arganil and Pampilhosa da Serra, in the Coimbra district, this major fire extended to the Guarda district (Seia) and Castelo Branco (Castelo Branco, Fundão, and Covilhã).
According to a provisional report from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), this fire, which began a week ago, has already consumed over 40,000 hectares.
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large rural fires since July, especially in the North and Center regions.
The fires have caused three deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some serious, destroying completely or partially first and second homes, as well as agricultural and livestock properties and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes arrived to reinforce fire-fighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, more than 222,000 hectares have burned in the country by August 20, exceeding the total area burned in the entire year of 2024.
