The SGIFR, managed by the Integrated Rural Fire Management Agency (AGIF), has launched a new portal offering information to the public and media about fire risks, active fire incidents, protection measures, and fire statistics including burned areas.
The portal reveals that from January 1 to July 11, 3,202 rural fires broke out, burning 9,974 hectares. During the same period last year, 1,902 fires occurred, affecting 3,246 hectares.
The data indicated the majority of this year’s rural fires were recorded in the North, totaling 1,761, followed by Lisbon and Tagus Valley (521), the Center (460), Alentejo (334), and Algarve (127).
The largest burned areas were in Alentejo (4,616 hectares) and the North (4,591), with the Center (602), Lisbon and Tagus Valley (145), and Algarve (21 hectares) following.
SGIFR statistics show that 28% of incidents occurred on days with a ‘very high’ fire risk and 10% on ‘maximum’ risk days, while more burnt areas were recorded on days with ‘maximum’ (29%) and ‘extreme’ (17%) risk.
Although many fires are still under investigation, data suggest that fire usage caused 24% of fire incidents and arson accounted for 12%.
