The fires continue to rage this Thursday, August 14, in mainland Portugal and other European countries, such as Spain, where the flames have already claimed at least three lives.
The night was intense in Portugal. Around 9 a.m. today, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection reported “3,100 firefighters and 1,018 ground units” were combating the fires affecting different parts of the country, primarily in the central region.
Speaking to Notícias ao Minuto, the same source noted several concerning fires, with the blaze in Arganil noted as evolving “very unfavorably”. It has extended to the neighboring municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Seia, affecting Piodão.
In this area alone, there are over 900 firefighters assisted by 300 ground vehicles and four aerial units.
The fire in Sátão is also evolving “unfavorably”, with about 450 firefighters, 143 vehicles, and four aerial units deployed, as well as the newly ignited fire in Cinfães. In this municipality, 110 firefighters with 28 vehicles and two aerial units are currently engaged.
Meanwhile, in Trancoso, according to Civil Protection, the fire is moving “favorably.” Nevertheless, it remains one of the most resource-intensive, with 460 firefighters, 146 ground units, and two aerial units deployed.
In Tabuaço, after days of alarm, the fire seems to have been contained and was declared under control this morning.
120 municipalities at maximum fire risk
On this Thursday, more than 120 municipalities in the North and Central inland areas and the Algarve are at maximum fire risk, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
The IPMA indicates that all municipalities in the Bragança district and most of those in Vila Real, Guarda, Viseu, and Castelo Branco are at maximum risk.
Numerous other municipalities in the Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Santarém, Portalegre, Beja, and Faro districts are also at maximum fire risk.
A large part of the Alentejo region and dozens of other municipalities in the Faro, Lisbon, Leiria, Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Viseu, Aveiro, Vila Real, Porto, Braga, and Viana do Castelo districts are at very high risk.
IPMA has placed about 60 municipalities in the Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal, Portalegre, and Faro districts at elevated risk.
Around 20 municipalities, mostly along the coast in the Faro, Lisbon, Leiria, Coimbra, Aveiro, and Porto districts, are at moderate risk.
[Updated at 9:23 a.m.]
