“The fire by early evening had already started to give way to the firefighting efforts. At this moment, it was declared under control,” said João Noel Afonso, the sub-regional commander of Terras de Trás-os-Montes, to the Lusa agency.
The commander stated that the coming hours will require vigilance to prevent rekindling, consolidate, and mop up the fire perimeter, and firefighting resources will remain on-site.
The blaze ignited early Friday afternoon in the localities of Poiares, in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, within the Douro International Natural Park, swiftly spreading to neighboring municipalities of Mogadouro and Torre de Moncorvo due to strong winds, leaving a vast scorched area in this protected area, as Lusa observed at several locations.
The fire raised concerns in various localities across these three southern Bragança district municipalities, with significant impact in Freixo de Espada à Cinta and Torre de Moncorvo.
It developed three major fronts in three municipalities, and aerial resources were unable to operate due to adverse weather conditions, smoke, and dust experienced over these days.
According to the sub-regional commander of Terras de Trás-os-Montes, more than 10,000 hectares of land have been consumed by the fire.
The official website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection indicated that 342 operatives were on the ground, supported by 115 vehicles.
This apparatus included eight bulldozers, resources from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), and the National Republican Guard (GNR).
Mainland Portugal has faced multiple rural fires since July, predominantly in the North and Center regions, amid high temperatures prompting the declaration of a state of alert since August 2.
The fires have claimed two lives, including a firefighter, and caused several injuries, mostly minor, while completely or partially destroying primary and secondary residences, as well as agricultural and livestock holdings and forest areas.
Portugal has activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes are expected to arrive on Monday to bolster firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, up to August 17, 172,000 hectares have burned in the country, exceeding the area burned throughout 2024.
