Forestry fires deemed significant were primarily occurring in mainland Portugal, according to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
For more than a week, the fire that started in Piódão, Arganil, in Coimbra district spread to Seia (Guarda district), Oliveira do Hospital and Pampilhosa da Serra (Coimbra district), and Castelo Branco, Covilhã, and Fundão (Castelo Branco district).
In Covilhã, the fire was mostly controlled by Friday night, with only one active front remaining in the Alforfa valley, between Unhais and the Padre Alfredo Dam, as reported by local authorities.
Covilhã’s municipality noted that despite the “improvement of the current situation,” resources remain on the ground, and efforts to consolidate, mop up, and monitor the scenario will continue to ensure full control of the fire.
In Seia, another active fire location, authorities stated on Friday night that the fire was “contained, with two internal fronts that are difficult to combat, but of low intensity” on the left slope of the Glacial Valley of Loriga (requiring on-foot combat) and the left slope of Ribeira de Alvoco from Unhais da Serra.
Meanwhile, the fire that erupted on Friday afternoon in Castro Daire, Viseu district, was burning intensely with two active fronts in the mountains, according to the field commander.
By 00:30, the fire was being fought by 278 personnel and 87 vehicles.
The fire that began on Wednesday in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo extended to Almeida and Pinhel municipalities in the Guarda district, reaching a resolution phase by late Friday afternoon, with 106 operatives and 37 vehicles on the ground at 00:30 today.
Another fire, initially significant for Civil Protection in Sabugal, Guarda district, is in resolution with 96 personnel and 31 land vehicles deployed, while the Armamar fire in Viseu district, which began on Friday, maintains 56 operatives and 16 vehicles on site.
The National Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection, Mário Silvestre, reported 63 new rural fire outbreaks in mainland Portugal by 17:00 on Friday.
The official also reminded that the “state of special preparedness at level four [maximum]” remains in effect until Monday, along with the district emergency and civil protection plans of Coimbra, Guarda, and Castelo Branco, and the municipal plans for Trancoso, Oliveira do Hospital, Arganil, Castelo Branco, Seia, Guarda, Covilhã, and Fundão.
Mainland Portugal has faced multiple large-scale rural fires since July, primarily in the North and Center regions.
The fires have resulted in three fatalities, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some severe. They have also led to the destruction of primary and secondary residences and agricultural and livestock farms, along with vast forestry areas.
Portugal invoked the European Civil Protection Mechanism, gaining access to two Fire Boss planes and a Super Puma helicopter, with two more Canadair planes expected to arrive today.
Provisional official data indicates that by August 21, 234,000 hectares had burned nationwide, with over 53,000 hectares affected by the fire that started in Arganil.
