The Forest Fire Fighting Special Unit (DECIR) has reported that the period requiring the most resources, regarded as the most critical, concluded on Tuesday. As of today, fewer personnel, vehicles, and aerial resources are deployed.
The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) informed that five aircraft will extend their operation for another 15 days. Consequently, from today, the aerial unit is down by six helicopters compared to the past three months.
ANEPC states that contrary to DECIR’s initial plan, the operation of two medium amphibious aircraft from the Beja Air Resources Center, along with three light helicopters from the Montijo, Monchique, and Cachopo Air Resources Centers, will be extended.
The Civil Protection agency notes that the aerial unit will comprise 67 aircraft starting today, although two are “currently inoperative.”
In addition to these airborne resources, during the next 15 days under ‘level charlie’—the third level mobilizing the most resources—there will be 12,789 personnel from 2,133 teams, 2,810 vehicles, and 19 bulldozers on duty.
This fire season has been marked so far by nearly 270,000 hectares burned, making it the fourth worst year in terms of area affected after 2017, 2003, and 2025. The fires resulted in four fatalities, including a firefighter, several injuries, and the total or partial destruction of primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock properties and forest land.
Portugal experienced heatwaves between July and August, which contributed to numerous rural fires, particularly in the interior north and central regions. There were 25 consecutive days of fires, including prolonged blazes like those in Piódão and Trancoso, lasting 11 and eight days respectively.
A total of 7,715 fires occurred this year, according to the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR). These figures indicate a reduction in the number of fires over recent years, although this year’s count is the highest since 2022.
The most affected regions this year are Central Portugal with 185,461 hectares of forest burned and the North with 70,690 hectares.
