A regional command source from Cávado stated that two of the fire fronts have been extinguished, with one front still active in an area of brushland.
The fire broke out at 05:35 in Gomide, part of the Union of Parishes of Sande, Vilarinho, Barros, and Gomide, in the municipality of Vila Verde.
As of 19:45, the fire is being combated by 110 personnel, supported by 35 vehicles, with no aerial means available.
Firefighters, GNR military, elements from the Municipal Civil Protection Service (SMPC), and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) are present on the scene.
Since Monday, numerous rural fires have affected mainland Portugal, particularly in the North, Center, and Alentejo regions, leading to village evacuations.
Both firefighters and civilians have been assisted, with no reported serious injuries. There are also no reports of destroyed homes, though forest, agricultural and livestock areas, as well as outbuildings, have burned.
Secretary of State for Internal Administration Paulo Simões Ribeiro stated that firefighting resources are sufficient but cannot “be everywhere at once” given the multitude of fires.
Parts of the districts of Bragança, Guarda, and Castelo Branco in the interior center are at maximum rural fire risk today, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
This forecast also extends to the south of the country, covering six municipalities in the district of Faro: Portimão, Silves, Monchique, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel, and Tavira.
According to IPMA, the maximum rural fire risk situation will persist in the same regions over the coming days.
IPMA has issued an orange weather warning for all districts of mainland Portugal, except Faro, between 09:00 and 18:00 on Sunday, due to “persistently high maximum temperature values”.
