The combined municipalities of Portalegre and Castelo de Vide have experienced a burned area of approximately 1,300 hectares, according to António Pita, the mayor of Castelo de Vide.
João Vaz, the Deputy Regional Commander for Emergency and Civil Protection in Alto Alentejo, confirmed this estimate. Although the fire did not enter the Serra de São Mamede, as per the report from this morning, Mayor Pita stated that most of the fire occurred within the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park.
The mayor emphasized the significant loss in biodiversity due to the fire. The municipality of Castelo de Vide has commenced assessing the damage caused by the blaze. However, Mayor Pita cautioned that it will take a few days for a full assessment to be completed.
The mayor noted that several houses, although the exact number remains unknown, were affected by the fire. These include both deserted and secondary residences, with about five or six impacted within the natural park area of Serra de São Paulo, and some severely so, Pita explained.
The fire also reached the peri-urban area of Castelo de Vide, affecting some primary properties’ grounds, but not the buildings themselves, Pita added.
Infrastructure damaged by the fire includes EDP power lines, communication facilities, and part of the old Cáceres railway line, as well as numerous fences, enclosures, and forest areas, according to the mayor.
The fire, which broke out at 14:01 on Thursday in Portalegre and Castelo de Vide, was considered under control by 10:19 today following an aerial survey of the entire perimeter, according to João Vaz.
The blaze consumed a variety of terrains, including eucalyptus, pine, brush, pasture, and cork trees, said Váza.
He further detailed that the fire’s perimeter measures seven kilometers, with the outer edge stretching 33 kilometers.
Firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish and consolidate the situation, with teams stationed in critical areas to prevent potential reignition.
By 12:00, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection’s website reported that the fire involved 239 personnel, supported by 79 vehicles and one aerial unit.
