The initial alert from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) indicated a fire in Anta, Sabrosa, which was subsequently corrected to São Cibrão, in the parish of Andrães, within the neighboring municipality of Vila Real.
In an update at 5:00 PM, the Douro sub-regional commander, Miguel Fonseca, informed Lusa news agency that the fire had two active fronts, one of which was being brought under control, while another continued to burn with “medium intensity.”
According to the commander, there were no populations at risk, as the fire was affecting scrubland and pine forest areas.
The access roads in the area are described by Miguel Fonseca as “reasonable,” facilitating favorable progress in the firefighting efforts.
The fire, which was reported at 2:23 PM, engaged 166 personnel, 44 vehicles, and eight aerial units.
The commander noted that ground resources are still being reinforced.
Mainland Portugal will enter a state of alert from Sunday until Thursday due to a high risk of wildfires in the coming days, announced the Minister of Internal Administration today.
“Given the worsening weather forecasts indicating a significant risk of rural fires, the Government has decided to declare a state of alert across the mainland,” stated Maria Lúcia Amaral in a national address, without taking questions.
The alert is effective from 12:00 AM Sunday until 11:59 PM Thursday, August 7.
