The spokesperson for Livre, Rui Tavares, responded today to the death of another individual in the ongoing wave of wildfires, urging that the “tragedy” should be “prevented” rather than normalized.
“Last night another fellow citizen risked and lost his life against the advance of the flames,” wrote Rui Tavares on Wednesday on the social media platform X. “We cannot be a country where volunteers die to protect what should be well-organized and planned.”
Esta noite mais um nosso concidadão arriscou e perdeu a vida contra o avanço das chamas. Não podemos ser um país em que gente voluntária morre para proteger o que deveria estar bem ordenado e planeado. Não normalizemos a tragédia, que pode ser prevenida.
— rui tavares (@ruitavares) August 20, 2025
Portugal’s mainland has been affected by multiple large wildfires since July, particularly in the North and Center regions, resulting in the deaths of three people, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some serious. The fires have destroyed or partially damaged primary and secondary residences, as well as agricultural and livestock holdings and forest areas.
The most recent casualty, announced today, was a 65-year-old man who died on Tuesday night after being run over by a tracked machine while combating a fire in Mirandela, Bragança district.
The European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated, under which two Fire Boss planes have arrived to bolster the firefighting efforts.
According to provisional official data, more than 222,000 hectares have burned by August 20, surpassing the total area burned in all of 2024.
Criticism of the Government
The government’s response to the fires has faced criticism from the opposition, mainly regarding the PSD’s Festa do Pontal during the fire period.
PS Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro accused Montenegro of being disengaged from the country, between vacations and a festival, while the country faced fires. Chega’s President, André Ventura, criticized the Festa do Pontal, arguing that “the prime minister is elected to govern, not to host parties.”
The Minister of Internal Administration (MAI), Maria Lúcia Amaral, has also been criticized for a lack of clarification on the operational issues faced in firefighting efforts.
The President of the Republic stated that “not always those who are in distress are capable of understanding the importance of responding and clarifying” public opinion.
The President of the Republic considered that “obviously there are reflections to be made” and that the approach to combating fires needs to change. However, he added, “the time is not yet right.”
Carolina Pereira Soares with Lusa | 20:33 – 19/08/2025
