The Western Subregional Commander, Carlos Silva, provided an update on Tuesday morning, August 12, on the ongoing fire in Trancoso, which is currently being fought by 699 personnel supported by two helicopters.
In statements to RTP3, Silva admitted that the situation “unfortunately is not as we would like,” as the fire is burning on two fronts, one of which is inaccessible to firefighters.
“We would like to have the fire under resolution but, unfortunately, we still have two active fronts. The front closest to Aldeia Velha is getting resolved. It is still active but, if all goes well, it will be resolved this morning and poses no threat. The front near the populations of Corças and Castanheira remains active. It’s in a zone inaccessible to vehicles. We fought with tools and water where possible, but unfortunately, last night, there was a reactivation below that position, and the resources could not contain the fire’s advance,” he explained, adding that this front’s progression was about 3.5 km.
“It is now reaching a zone that offers discontinuity due to a road, which we will take advantage of with ground and aerial resources. On the opposite side of this road, it will hit an agricultural area closer to homes, which also provides some assurance of success in stopping the flames on that front,” said Carlos Silva, emphasizing the need for favorable weather conditions, which are currently not aiding efforts as “the wind is already affecting the higher grounds, complicating combat operations.”
When asked about the risk to populations, the commander assured that “currently, there is no risk” and that if they manage to “stop the fire on this road, Castanheira will not be at risk.”
“Corça and Reboleira will never be at risk because the wind is currently favoring these two populations,” he affirmed.
Regarding the burnt hectares, the Commander estimated “around 8,500 hectares,” but a “new survey” will be received by noon.
The Trancoso Town Hall decided to keep the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan active due to “the emergency situation caused by the fire affecting the municipality,” following a meeting of the Municipal Civil Protection Commission.
The municipality has already suspended the irrigation of public spaces and urged the population to reduce water consumption “to the strictly necessary,” thereby contributing to “safeguarding this essential resource for fighting the fire.”
The fire in the municipality has already consumed 8,000 hectares, mainly chestnut groves, olive groves, and vineyards, indicated the mayor, Amílcar Salvador, on Monday.
Besides the fire, there are three other blazes concerning authorities currently occurring in mainland Portugal: Vila Real, Covilhã, and Tabuaço.
At present, around 2,000 personnel are involved.
37 injured, including civilians and personnel
Pedro Araújo, operations officer at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), highlighted to Lusa news agency at 11 p.m. on Monday that the four fires resulted in 37 casualties, including civilians and personnel, who were assisted on-site (without the need for hospital care) or considered minor injuries and transported to the hospital.
More than 1,700 personnel were fighting, as of 4:15 a.m. today, the four most concerning fires in mainland Portugal, in Vila Real, Trancoso, Covilhã, and Tabuaço, according to Civil Protection.
Lusa | 04:49 – 12/08/2025
Portugal is currently under an alert state due to the risk of fire, with several fires having erupted in the north and central parts of the country in recent weeks, which have already consumed an area of nearly 60,000 hectares this year.
The Government has extended the alert state until Wednesday, August 13, due to the risk of forest fires.
The renewal of the alert state is based on two main reasons: the continuation of high temperatures across the country in the coming days and the reduction of ignitions due to imposed prohibitions.
Among the measures in force are the prohibition of access, circulation, and permanence in forest areas, in accordance with the Municipal Forest Fire Defense Plans, as well as the carrying out of burns, with previously issued authorizations for this period also suspended.
The alert state also prohibits work in forest and rural areas using machinery and the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices. In this regard, previously issued authorizations are also suspended.
