As Portugal braces for further assistance from Greece in battling wildfires, the government and the European Union underline the cooperation in place. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, via the social network X, stated she had spoken with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, affirming that the EU was prepared to finance the country’s recovery through a social fund.
“I just spoke with Luís Montenegro to assure him of European solidarity in the face of the devastating fires in Portugal. We continue to support Portugal in its efforts against the fires and in helping to prevent more fires,” von der Leyen wrote, concluding, “And we are ready to finance recovery through the European Social Fund.”
Acabei de falar com @LMontenegro_PT para o assegurar da solidariedade europeia face aos terríveis incêndios em Portugal.
Continuamos a apoiar Portugal no seu esforço contra os incêndios e no auxílio à prevenção de mais fogos.
E estamos prontos para financiar a recuperação…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 21, 2025
Montenegro also discussed his conversation with the Commission President on X, expressing gratitude for the EU’s solidarity in tackling the fires, and detailing that financing routes were being defined to support affected populations and businesses.
“I spoke on the phone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom I thanked for the EU’s solidarity in combating the fires in Portugal. We are advancing in defining financing avenues to support populations and businesses now, ensuring territorial cohesion with more prevention in the future,” wrote Montenegro in a post shared on X.
Falei ao telefone com a Presidente da @EU_Commission, @vonderleyen, a quem agradeci a solidariedade da UE no combate aos incêndios em Portugal. Avançamos na definição de vias de financiamento para apoiar populações e empresas agora e garantir a coesão territorial com mais…
— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) August 21, 2025
Mainland Portugal has endured numerous large-scale rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Center regions. The blazes have claimed three lives, including a firefighter, injured several individuals, some seriously, and have destroyed or partially damaged homes, agricultural holdings, and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, providing access to two Fire Boss aircraft that began operations on Tuesday. Additionally, two Canadair planes from Greece are expected to arrive on Friday, staying until Monday, August 25.
According to provisional official data, as of August 21, 234,000 hectares had burned across the country, with more than 53,000 hectares lost to the Arganil fire alone.
This Thursday, the Portuguese Psychologists’ Order announced it plans to have professionals available next week, at the request of local authorities, to help affected populations readjust to their routine, emphasizing that “the fire does not extinguish when the flames are gone.”
