Complaints regarding the mandatory clearing of forests and lands increased by 18% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Since the beginning of the year, over 70 complaints have been received by the Portal da Queixa, primarily targeting municipalities.
A statement released on Tuesday revealed that an analysis conducted from the beginning of the year until June 31 recorded “76 complaints related to the lack of forest and land clearing” on the platform, marking “an 18% increase compared to the same period last year.”
Furthermore, the data showed that June and July — the period following the extended deadline for land clearing on May 31 — “experienced the highest volume of citizen-reported incidents.”
The Portal da Queixa noted that “the complaints are predominantly directed at municipal councils, which account for 34.21% of the cases.”
Ensuring compliance with the law by property owners is the responsibility of municipal councils. If the deadline is not met by those accountable, the municipalities are tasked with the clearing, and property owners must allow municipal teams access to their lands, as the statement emphasized.
This year, the deadline for forest and land clearing was extended to May 31, with 988 priority parishes identified for clearing inspection.
Pedro Lourenço, founder of Portal da Queixa, highlighted in the statement that “the data reveals a concerning increase” in consumer complaints regarding the lack of forest and land clearing.
“This non-compliance, even after the legally extended deadline to May 31, reveals the ineffectiveness of enforcement measures and the fragility of prevention mechanisms nationwide. We continue to witness, year after year, the repetition of a structural problem that endangers public safety and the preservation of natural heritage,” he stressed.
“A coordinated, firm, and continuous action by competent authorities is urgently required, along with a clear communication strategy to actively involve citizens in territory protection,” he advocated.
Wildfires Have Already Consumed Nearly 42,000 Hectares (8 Times More Than in 2024)
Notably, wildfires have consumed nearly 42,000 hectares this year, eight times more than during the same period in 2024 and the highest figure since 2022, according to the Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (SGIFR).
The SGIFR statistics, managed by the Agência para a Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (AGIF), report that as of January 1, there have been 5,211 fires, burning 41,644 hectares.
The SGIFR portal notes that 72% of the burned area and 53% of this year’s fires occurred in the Northern region, where fires have been particularly intense recently in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, and Porto.
According to the portal, more than half of the area has been consumed by flames since July 26.
Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of fires has nearly doubled this year, and the burned area is eight times greater. By August 5, 2024, 4,671 hectares had burned, while this year, 41,644 hectares have burned. However, the total burned area in 2024 was 147,000 hectares, with 135,000 hectares burning in just six days during September fires.
Mainland Portugal has been on alert from Sunday through Thursday due to the high fire risk.
Wildfires have consumed nearly 42,000 hectares this year, eight times more than during the same period in 2024 and the highest figure since 2022, according to the Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (SGIFR).
Lusa | 16:57 – 05/08/2025
