The national commander of Civil Protection, Mário Silvestre, reported in the regular update on rural fires in mainland Portugal that by 5:00 p.m. today, 55 incidents were recorded, 22 of which began during the night, between 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
“The incidents that concern us the most at the moment are Trancoso (Serra da Estrela), Vila Boa (Sátão), Piódão (Arganil), Candal (Sabugal), Pêra do Moço (Guarda), Poiares (Freixo de Espada à Cinta), Aldeia de Santo António (Sabugal), Sortelha (Sabugal), Vilarinho (Tarouca), and Mirandela (Trás-os-Montes),” the commander informed.
The Central Regional Command noted that the fires in Sátão and Trancoso have merged on the ground, but ANEPC continues to list the data separately.
Mário Silvestre emphasized that “38 incidents remain in resolution, conclusion, and monitoring, involving 1,002 operatives and 309 vehicles with 11 aerial resources.”
Regarding potential failures in the Integrated System of Emergency and Security Networks of Portugal (SIRESP), the commander indicated that no more constraints have been reported since the issues were noted.
The two Fire Boss planes from Sweden are expected to arrive on Monday and begin operations on Tuesday, following a delay due to delivery constraints originally scheduled for today.
Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Central regions, amid high temperatures that prompted the declaration of a state of alert since August 2.
The fires resulted in two fatalities, including a firefighter, and several injuries, mostly minor, and destroyed homes, both main and secondary residences, as well as agricultural, livestock, and forest areas.
It should be noted that the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, announced this Sunday that the government decided to “extend the alert by an additional 48 hours” due to the fires. The deadline, it should be noted, was set to end at 11:59 p.m. today.
The Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, announced this Sunday that the alert situation due to the fires will be extended until Tuesday, August 19, due to “unfavorable conditions.”
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes are expected to arrive on Monday to support firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, as of August 17, 172,000 hectares have burned in the country, surpassing the total burned area for the entire year of 2024.
[News updated at 9:28 p.m.]
