An official from the Sub-regional Command of Emergency and Civil Protection of Leiria reported that a fire is actively burning in an area of difficult-to-access underbrush.
“Foot troops are being positioned,” they noted, adding that “some wind gusts are also complicating efforts on the ground.”
According to an official from the Territorial Command of the National Republican Guard of Leiria, the fire necessitated the closure of EN113 in both directions, between Olivais and Quinta da Sardinha.
The alarm for the fire in Vale Sumo, in the Union of Parishes of Santa Catarina da Serra and Chainça, municipality of Leiria, was raised at 1:03 PM.
As of 3:44 PM, there were 129 personnel on the ground, supported by 37 vehicles and five aircraft.
Mainland Portugal has been plagued by multiple rural fires since July, especially in the North and Central regions, amidst high temperatures that prompted the declaration of an alert situation since August 2.
The fires have caused two deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly minor, while completely or partially destroying primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes are expected to arrive on Monday to bolster firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, by August 17, 172,000 hectares had burned in the country, exceeding the total area burned in the entire year of 2024.
