The fire that started on the 13th remains the most significant incident, mobilizing the most personnel and resources during the afternoon, reports the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
At 15:11, ANEPC reported on its website four active fires, including the one in Arganil and others in Arcos de Valdevez (starting at 09:14), Valpaços (starting at 13:16), and Viseu (starting at 14:12).
In total, by 15:11, there were 41 fires engaging 2,687 personnel, 838 land vehicles, and 31 aerial means.
The majority of the fires were in the resolution or conclusion phase.
Listed as in dispatch, ANEPC’s page recorded at 15:13 a fire in Pedrógão Grande, with an alert at 14:27, involving 267 personnel, 66 vehicles, and nine aerial means.
A source from the Leiria Sub-regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection told Lusa at 15:20 that “resources are being dispatched,” with the complementary route 8 expected to be cut off.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) maintained today the “maximum,” “very high,” or “high” fire risk in many municipalities in the North and Center interior as well as in the Algarve.
The IPMA forecasts for today clear or partly cloudy skies, with more cloudiness and fog or mist formation on the west coast, along with a slight rise in temperature in the interior.
Castelo Branco is expected to record the highest temperature at 37 degrees Celsius, followed by Évora at 36º, and Beja at 35º.
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large rural fires since July, especially in the North and Center regions.
The fires have caused four deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some severe, and have destroyed homes, both primary and secondary, as well as agricultural operations and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which it has at its disposal two Fire Boss planes, a Super Puma helicopter, and two Canadair planes.
According to provisional official data, approximately 248,000 hectares have burned in the country by August 23, with more than 57,000 of these in the fire that started in Arganil.
