Train services on the Beira Baixa line between Lardosa and Fundão have resumed, and the A23 motorway between the Lardosa and Fundão South junction, as well as the National Road (EN) 18 between Soalheira and Alpedrinha, have been reopened to traffic, the GNR reported.
“All routes were reopened at 04:45, roads and train included,” specified the same source.
“Currently, there are no blocked routes,” added the GNR source from Castelo Branco.
These routes had been closed since 18:00 on Wednesday due to the wildfire in the municipality of Fundão, which was then located in the urban perimeter of Soalheira.
The fire, which ignited on the 13th of August in Arganil in the Coimbra district, has since spread to the municipalities of Pampilhosa da Serra and Oliveira do Hospital (Coimbra district), Seia (Guarda), as well as Covilhã and Castelo Branco (Castelo Branco district).
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the northern and central regions.
The fires have resulted in three fatalities, including a firefighter, with several others injured, some seriously, and have completely or partially destroyed primary and secondary residences, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forested areas.
Provisional data indicates that by August 20, over 222,000 hectares had burned in the country, surpassing the total area burned in the entirety of 2024.
