According to the Territorial Command of Castelo Branco, as of 8:10 PM, rail traffic on the Beira Baixa line was halted between Lardosa (municipality of Castelo Branco) and Fundão.
The same source informed that the A23 motorway is closed between the Lardosa (Castelo Branco) and Fundão Sul junctions, and the EN 18 is closed between Soalheira and Alpedrinha in the municipality of Fundão.
These blockages have been in effect since 6:00 PM, caused by the fire in the municipality of Fundão, which has reached the urban perimeter of Soalheira.
Alternatives for these routes include using the EN 233, heading towards S. Miguel D’Acha-Capinha-Peroviseu and exiting at Alcaria.
This fire, which broke out on the 13th (Wednesday) in Arganil, Coimbra district, has also spread to the municipalities of Pampilhosa da Serra and Oliveira do Hospital (Coimbra), Seia (Guarda), and Covilhã and Castelo Branco (Castelo Branco).
Continental Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the northern and central regions.
The fires have resulted in three fatalities, including a firefighter, and numerous injuries, some serious, and have completely or partially destroyed primary and secondary residences, as well as agricultural and livestock enterprises and forest areas.
Provisional data indicates that by August 20, more than 222,000 hectares have burned across the country, surpassing the total burned area in the entire year of 2024.
