Firefighters are battling a blaze nearing the urban perimeter of Soalheira, now advancing from the heights of the Gardunha mountain towards the historical village of Castelo Novo, the municipality of Castelo Branco stated in a Facebook post.
The Fundão City Council also indicated that closing the A23 motorway and the National Road 18 is under consideration and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel to reduce risk and not interfere with emergency operations.
A photojournalist on site at 6:30 PM confirmed that the A23 had been closed in both directions towards the north, between Lardosa and Fundão.
The fire, which began on the 13th of the month in Arganil, Coimbra district, has spread to the municipalities of Pampilhosa da Serra and Oliveira do Hospital (Coimbra), Seia (Guarda), and Covilhã and Castelo Branco (Castelo Branco).
Portugal’s mainland has been experiencing numerous rural fires since July, predominantly in the north and central regions.
The fires have resulted in three fatalities, including a firefighter, and have injured several individuals, some critically, while also causing the complete or partial destruction of residences, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forested areas.
Provisional data shows that by August 20th, over 222,000 hectares had burned in the country, exceeding the total area burned throughout 2024.
