The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) reported significant fire incidents in Vila Real at 2:00 PM, with one fire in Pena, Quintã, and Vila Cova involving nearly 150 personnel, supported by 40 ground resources and 13 aerial units.
In Vila Cova, residents near the affected areas were advised to move to the village center.
In São Cibrão, Douro, 288 personnel with 98 vehicles and one aerial unit were deployed, while in Torgueda, 85 personnel with 25 vehicles and one aerial unit were handling relief operations.
The fire that began on Saturday in São Cibrão, Vila Real, extending to Sabrosa, presented hot spots but no active flames, according to the second sub-regional commander of Douro, during a briefing in Sabrosa at around 1:00 PM.
“We have started consolidating the perimeters with no active flames, yet it is not completely controlled. A large percentage is in the aftermath phase. There are hot spots, but no active fire,” said José Requeijo about the fire that necessitated home evacuations on Saturday night, including an evacuation of a nursing home.
Of the 19 elderly evacuated from the São Martinho de Anta nursing home, seven will spend the night at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Sabrosa, with the others accommodated at the Mercado dos Produtos Durienses, according to the local mayor.
Lusa | 02:55 – 03/08/2025
Another fire of concern was in Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo district, brought under control at 10:45 AM today after nine days.
This fire, having started a week ago, has consumed over six thousand hectares of the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG).
“Wind is forecasted for the late afternoon. At any moment, we risk reactivation. Therefore, resources remain in the operational area. Difficult-to-access locations pose operational challenges,” stated the Civil Protection commander, Elísio Oliveira, around 1:30 PM.
According to the commander, on-site operations involve 530 personnel, 163 vehicles, and three aerial units.
Three aerial units and hundreds of personnel will remain in Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo district, to prevent reactivations driven by weather conditions, said Civil Protection commander Elísio Oliveira.
Lusa | 14:04 – 03/08/2025
In Arouca, Aveiro district, the fire that started in Canelas and Espiunca, having spread to Castelo de Paiva and Cinfães, Viseu district, was declared under control on Friday. Although nearing completion, over 80 personnel and 36 ground units remain engaged.
Since Monday, numerous wildfires have impacted mainland Portugal, especially in the North, Center, and Alentejo regions. Villages were evacuated due to the blazes.
Three firefighters suffered non-serious injuries while fighting the Sabrosa fire, with other reports of both personnel and civilian assistance, all non-severe.
All municipalities in the Bragança, Viseu, and Castelo Branco districts face maximum fire risk today, according to the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
This alert also extends to nearly all municipalities in the Vila Real, Braga, Porto, Santarém, and Faro districts, with five municipalities in Portalegre also under IPMA’s highest fire risk alert.
The alert is effective from midnight until 11:59 PM on Thursday, August 7.
Carolina Pereira Soares with Lusa | 13:06 – 02/08/2025
Mainland Portugal is under an alert status due to the high fire risk in the coming days, announced on Saturday by the Minister of Internal Administration. The alert runs until Thursday.
“Given the worsening weather forecasts indicating a significant rural fire risk, the Government has declared an alert throughout the mainland territory,” declared Maria Lúcia Amaral, addressing the nation with no questions allowed.
