A source from Civil Protection stated that two active fire fronts, one in Sirarelhos, Vila Real, and another in Mondim de Basto, are being tackled by four planes and a helicopter.
The EN304 is closed between Alto do Velão and Ermelo due to the fire that has reached Mondim de Basto, along with municipal roads 1211 (Gontães-Pena) and 564 (Pena-Sirarelhos), according to the GNR.
The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) website reports the deployment of approximately 380 personnel and 128 vehicles to manage the incident.
There was a significant increase in resources to combat this fire since late Sunday afternoon.
The fire alert was issued at 23:45 on Saturday in Sirarelhos, progressing to nearby villages such as Gontães and Vila Cova, where it approached homes, prompting residents to move to the village centers.
Strong winds and dense vegetation have presented major challenges to the firefighters battling this blaze.
Over 140 municipalities in the northern and central interior of Portugal and the Algarve region are at maximum fire risk today, reports the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
IPMA indicates that the five northernmost districts of mainland Portugal are under a red alert, the highest level, due to persistently extreme high temperatures.
The warning for Bragança, Porto, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, and Braga will remain until 18:00 on Tuesday, when it will be downgraded to orange for Vila Real and Bragança, and yellow for the others.
