Provisional data from the ICNF reveals that from January 1 to today, 5,766 rural fires have occurred, resulting in the burning of 59,597 hectares, comprising 50% bush, 40% forested areas, and 10% agricultural lands.
Statistics from the Integrated Management System for Rural Fires (SGIFR), overseen by the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management (AGIF), indicate that by Saturday, 44,829 hectares had burned, implying that from Sunday until the start of today, fires consumed an additional 14,768 hectares.
The majority of this year’s fires have erupted in the northern and central regions of the country, with approximately 40,000 hectares burned since July 26.
Portugal has been on alert due to the risk of rural fires for a week.
