The fire that started at 8:45 PM on Monday in Quintelas, Mondrões, has advanced in an area of difficult access, complicating firefighting efforts. As of 8:30 AM this morning, 69 personnel and 18 vehicles remain on-site.
A heavy helicopter will be deployed to assist in controlling the blaze and consolidating the work done by firefighters on the ground.
The Alvão mountain range in Vila Real was affected by a major fire between August 2 and August 13, spreading to Mondim de Basto and burning 6,000 hectares, 1,500 of which were in the Alvão Natural Park (PNA).
The fire impacted seven parishes and 30 locations in the Vila Real municipality.
The Alvão mountain range covers Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Ribeira de Pena, Vila Real, and Mondim de Basto, with areas in all four municipalities burning in the first weeks of August during three different fires (Sirarelhos, Pinduradouro, and Alvadia).
According to official sources, the fire that began in Pinduradouro, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, burned around 500 hectares, while the one in Alvadia, Ribeira de Pena, affected approximately 600 hectares.
In total, around 7,100 hectares have burned in the Alvão range.
In the Vila Real district, the fire that broke out late Monday in Pisões, Montalegre, reached a resolution phase overnight with 32 personnel and 14 vehicles remaining in the area.
Also noted on the ANEPC’s online page, a fire that started Sunday in Sabrosa, also in Vila Real district, was brought under control but still has 83 personnel and 24 vehicles on the scene this morning.
Continental Portugal has been plagued by numerous large-scale wildfires since July, especially in the northern and central regions.
The fires have claimed four lives, including a firefighter, caused several injuries, some severe, and destroyed or damaged both primary and secondary residences as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forested areas.
Provisional official data shows that by August 23, approximately 250,000 hectares have burned nationwide, with over 57,000 hectares lost in the fire that began in Arganil alone.
Foreign aerial support operating in Portugal under the European Civil Protection Mechanism will remain in the country until Friday, according to ANEPC.
