The head of operations, José Requeijo, stated that three injured firefighters have been transferred to Vila Real Hospital, with burns described as superficial.
The fire, which ignited in São Cibrão, Vila Real, has spread to the municipality of Sabrosa, currently burning with significant intensity on two fronts.
José Requeijo mentioned that ground teams have been strategically deployed, notably in São Martinho de Anta and the Sabrosa industrial zone.
“The ground resources are well-positioned and actively working. We hope the coming hours, particularly with nightfall, will provide an opportunity to gain control,” he remarked.
Approximately 240 personnel and 70 vehicles have been mobilized to combat the fire, with resources being augmented, according to the official.
The deputy commander of the Douro sub-region explained that the fire started with high activity levels and a rapid spread, driven by a combination of factors including intense heat, easterly winds, and very fine fuels.
“We immediately reinforced this operational theater with all available resources, both ground and aerial. The fire spread rapidly, gaining size, and the perimeter is already quite large,” he noted.
In the afternoon, 11 aerial units were deployed as the fire threatened the villages of Anta and Garganta.
A social media update from the Sabrosa Municipality notes that roads between São Martinho de Anta and Garganta, “between the Anta roundabout and the bridge, at the municipality’s boundary with Vila Real (São Cibrão),” and between the Sabrosa industrial zone and Feitais, have been closed to traffic.
The alert for the fire was issued at 2:23 PM in the São Cibrão area, Vila Real municipality.
From Sunday until Thursday, mainland Portugal will be under alert status due to the high risk of wildfires in the coming days, announced the Minister of Internal Administration today.
“In light of worsening weather forecasts indicating significant rural fire risk, the government has decided to declare an alert state for the entire mainland,” announced Maria Lúcia Amaral in a national address without a Q&A session.
The alert status will be in effect from 12:00 AM Sunday until 11:59 PM Thursday, August 7.
