The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) reports that five significant incidents are currently engaging 2,815 operatives, supported by 897 land vehicles.
A fire that began last week in Arganil, in the Coimbra district, has now impacted three municipalities in the Castelo Branco district, namely Castelo Branco, Fundão, and Covilhã, and involves 1,668 personnel with 565 vehicles on site.
Transport along the Beira Baixa railway line between Lardosa and Fundão remains halted as of this morning, alongside the suspension of traffic on the A23 motorway between the Lardosa and Fundão Sul junctions and the National Road 18 (EN 18) between Soalheira and Alpedrinha.
A fire that has been burning for several days in Galicia, Spain, and reached the municipality of Chaves on Tuesday, after crossing the border near Vilar de Perdizes in Montalegre, both in the Vila Real district, is being tackled by 467 responders and 150 land vehicles as of 12:30 AM today.
By 10:30 PM on Wednesday, efforts to combat the fire in Chaves were progressing positively, with two active fronts “yielding to the resources,” according to the sub-regional commander of Alto Tâmega and Barroso.
A fire that broke out on Friday in the municipality of Sabugal, in the Guarda district, and spread to the neighboring municipality of Penamacor (Castelo Branco), has engaged 386 operatives, assisted by 104 vehicles.
In the same district, a fire in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, which started on Wednesday afternoon, maintains 167 personnel and 41 land vehicles on site.
Starting on Tuesday night, the fire in Armil, Fafe municipality, Braga district, is being managed by 150 personnel and 44 land vehicles.
Although now under control, significant incidents as of 12:30 AM today include fires in Carrazeda de Ansiães (Bragança) and Sátão (Viseu), involving 73 and 53 operatives, respectively.
Mainland Portugal has been severely affected by multiple rural fires since July, especially in the North and Central regions.
These fires have resulted in three fatalities, including a firefighter, numerous injuries, some severe, and have destroyed or damaged several primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock farms and forest areas.
Provisional data indicates that as of August 20, more than 222,000 hectares have burned in the country, surpassing the total burnt area recorded in the entirety of 2024.
