A devastating fire broke out at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday in Sirarelhos, severely impacting the communal land, according to Carlos Manuel Lopes Dias, the president of the directive council of Vila Cova e Mascoselo. He reported significant damage to ongoing projects.
It is estimated that 85% of the 650 hectares of the communal area, mostly covered by pine forest, might have been destroyed. Despite the flames moving away from the village of Vila Cova, the fire continues to ravage forested areas.
Among the damaged projects was a plantation of 1,500 mycorrhized pine trees, which were treated with fungi to produce mushrooms.
Local resident Agostinha Pires shared that she had never witnessed such extensive destruction in a short time.
As the fire approached in the morning, Agostinha released the cows from the corral to safeguard them.
Fátima Ribeiro spent the morning gathering food and drinks for the volunteer firefighters tackling the blaze in the area.
“It was very complicated, so we mobilized the community to assist. The fire is now more distant from the houses, but it’s still burning intensely,” she said.
Other residents used water tanks attached to tractors to deliver water to critical areas.
By late morning, strong winds pushed the flames closer to the village, prompting authorities to advise residents of border houses to move to the village center. Some remain there, while others are staying with family.
According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, as of 4:20 p.m., 168 personnel, 48 vehicles, and 10 aerial units were deployed to tackle the fire, burning across four fronts since it ignited in Sirarelhos on Saturday night.
