Portuguese Forest Fires (August 2025)

In August 2025, numerous rural and forest fires occurred across Portugal under conditions of high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. The fires were particularly concentrated in the northern and central regions of the country and spread rapidly over large areas. The “state of alert” declared on 3 August, initially planned to end on 7 August, was extended due to ongoing risks first to 13 August, then to 15 August, and finally until midnight on 19 August 2025.

^{Portugal Fighting Forest Fires, 13 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

In August 2025, numerous forest fires affected large areas in the northern and central regions of Portugal. Multiple active fires were recorded in the Vila Real district, with fires occurring around the Alvão mountain range. A fire that started in the Freches area of Trancoso, within the Guarda district, spread rapidly to border areas of eleven different parishes (freguesias) under the municipality’s jurisdiction.

In Covilhã, three separate active fire fronts were detected around Sobral de São Miguel, causing damage to forested areas and nearby settlements. In Tabuaço, within the Viseu district, the fire was difficult to control due to steep terrain. Numerous fire points were recorded in the Braga and Viana do Castelo districts, particularly along the Ponte da Barca and Lindoso corridors. In Amarante, adjacent to the Porto region, both forested areas and agricultural land were affected by the fires.

On 18 August, fires re-ignited in the Pampilhosa da Serra region and surrounding areas. Evacuation preparations were underway in several villages within the Beiras e Serra da Estrela region. A significant portion of the fires around Vila Real, Trancoso, and Covilhã remained uncontrolled.

^{Portugal Fighting Forest Fires, 13 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Between 3 and 7 August 2025, a total of 113 fire incidents were recorded nationwide. Of these, 104 were brought under control within the first 90 minutes, nine were extinguished after a longer period, and one fire remained active. During the same period, evacuations were carried out in multiple regions including Braga, Viana do Castelo, Ponte da Barca, Aveiro, and Porto.

By mid-August, the total area affected by the fires had exceeded 42,000 hectares. Meteorological data indicated that temperatures in some areas reached up to 45 °C, while low humidity and strong winds accelerated the spread of the fires.

On 3 August 2025, the Portuguese government declared a “state of alert” nationwide to combat forest fires. Originally scheduled to end on 7 August, the state of alert was extended due to persistent fire risks first to 13 August, then to 15 August, and finally until midnight on 19 August 2025.

Measures implemented included banning access to forested areas, suspending agricultural burning and controlled fire activities, imposing restrictions on the use of agricultural and industrial machinery, and prohibiting the use of pyrotechnic products. Leave for firefighters and civil protection personnel was canceled, and emergency response capacity was increased.

^{Portugal Fighting Forest Fires, 13 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Fire suppression efforts were coordinated by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC). Operations involved local fire services, military units, municipal teams, and volunteers. Ground resources included all-terrain vehicles, fire engines, bulldozers, and support vehicles. Aerial operations employed fire-fighting aircraft and helicopters, which conducted sorties over areas with concentrated fire activity.

The progression of fires and affected areas were monitored using satellite data through the Copernicus Emergency Management Service’s (EMSR824) rapid mapping mode, with detailed maps produced for regions including Arouca and Ponte da Barca. In some areas, the fire’s advance was difficult to control due to high temperatures, low humidity, and shifting wind directions. Steep terrain and access difficulties also hampered the speed of ground response teams.

As of 18 August 2025, numerous forest fires continue to affect the northern and central regions of Portugal. Fires have reignited in Pampilhosa da Serra, with dozens of active fire points identified across the country. According to meteorological records, temperatures in some areas reached 45 °C, while low humidity and strong winds accelerated the spread of the fires.

A significant portion of the fires around Pampilhosa da Serra, Vila Real, Trancoso and Covilhã have not yet been fully brought under control. Evacuation preparations are ongoing in several settlements in the Beiras e Serra da Estrela region.

The burned area has exceeded 42,000 hectares, with rural and mountainous areas suffering the greatest impact. The government has declared that the fire risk remains high and announced that the alert status will remain in effect until at least midnight on 19 August.

_{Portugal fighting forest fires, 17 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

As of 18 August, a second firefighter has lost his life in Portugal due to the forest fires, raising the total national death toll to two. Both deceased individuals were confirmed to be personnel involved in fire suppression operations.

Additionally, several personnel responding to fires in various regions have been injured. According to data from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), some firefighters were affected by smoke and sustained various burns and trauma. Injured personnel have been transported to medical facilities.

On 18 August, the Portuguese government extended the “alert status” due to the ongoing fire risk across the country. Minister of Internal Administration Maria Lúcia Amaral announced that current measures will remain valid until midnight on 19 August.

Under the alert status, access to forested areas has been prohibited, agricultural burning and open flame activities have been suspended, and the use of agricultural machinery has been restricted. The use of pyrotechnic products has also been banned, and all emergency response personnel have had their leave cancelled.

_{Portugal fighting forest fires, 17 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Firefighting operations in Portugal are coordinated by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC). In addition to ground teams, fire suppression aircraft and helicopters are actively deployed.

Portugal has requested international assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Four Canadair-type fire-fighting aircraft have been requested. Support mechanisms have also been activated from Spain and other European countries.

The ongoing forest fires in Portugal have sparked debate over the government’s crisis management. André Ventura, leader of the Chega Party, has called for the resignation of Interior Minister Maria Lúcia Amaral. Ventura claimed that insufficient preparation was made for fire response and that coordination failures occurred.

Public discourse has intensified around the management of the fires, with the government’s measures and the adequacy of firefighting capacity receiving extensive media coverage.

Forest fires in Türkiye have caused severe losses across the country. From the end of June to 23 August approximately 248,000 hectares have been burned; more than 57,000 of these were consumed by the fire in Arganil alone. The northern and central regions have been the most affected areas.

Four people have lost their lives in the fires including one firefighter. Many others have been injured some seriously. During the peak of the fire outbreak approximately 34,000 people were evacuated from their homes; as of 24 August with the reduction of danger most villagers have returned to their residences.

Türkiye has received international assistance under the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Two Canadair aircraft two Fire Boss aircraft and one Super Puma helicopter dispatched from Italy and Spain have been deployed in firefighting operations. These aircraft have operated alongside Turkish teams in critical missions.

A state of alert known as Special Preparedness Level 4 has been activated nationwide. Authorities have announced that this level will be reassessed on 25 August.

A fire that began on 13 August near the village of Piódão in Arganil continued for 11 days and by 24 August had been largely brought under control. The fire spread across the borders of three districts Coimbra Guarda and Castelo Branco affecting a total of seven municipalities. Over 57,000 hectares have been reduced to ash making this one of the largest disasters of Türkiye’s 2025 summer.

More than 1,292 personnel 432 ground vehicles and six aircraft participated in firefighting and subsequent cooling operations. The National Emergency and Civil Protection Agency (ANEPC) has stated that despite the fire being contained intense monitoring and rescaldo (cooling and cleanup) activities are ongoing in the region due to the risk of re-ignition.

Due to a flare-up near Alpedrinha Fundão the A23 motorway and N18 road were temporarily closed on the night of 23 August and reopened on the morning of 24 August. Temporary evacuations were carried out in some villages but residents have since returned as the risk diminished.

The fire has left extensive damage. In addition to forested areas many agricultural and livestock operations have suffered losses. Large portions of forests in neighboring regions such as Loriga and Alvoco da Serra have burned and some villages experienced water shortages lasting weeks. Local authorities have confirmed that damage assessment surveys have begun and that losses suffered by villagers are being documented.

Foreign aircraft under the European Civil Protection Mechanism also participated in operations during the Arganil fire. Canadair aircraft from Italy and Spain and Fire Boss amphibious aircraft were deployed intensively.

Two separate fires that broke out on 23 August in Pedrógão Grande a municipality in the district of Leiria quickly merged into a single large fire affecting a wide area. The first fire started at 14:27 and the second at 15:21 at different locations triggering evacuations in numerous villages.

A total of five villages Marroquil Torneira Romão Agria and Sobreiro were evacuated as a precaution. By the morning of 24 August residents returned home as the danger subsided. The national highways IC8 and EN2 were closed due to the fire but reopened later that day. Part of EN350 remained closed throughout the fire event.

Over 800 personnel approximately 270 ground vehicles and several aircraft were deployed to combat the fire. According to ANEPC data around 700 personnel remained actively engaged in the field during the day. Due to the difficult terrain of mountainous areas bulldozers and helicopters provided critical support. Fire officials noted that in some steep zones access was only possible from the air.

Local authorities have begun damage assessments to identify burned homes and structures. Initial surveys indicate that some primary residences and businesses were damaged. Mayor António Lopes stated that “measures have been strengthened since 2017 allowing for a faster response” but confirmed that the community has still suffered serious losses.

By the evening of 24 August the fire was under control and cooling and monitoring operations continued. More than 660 personnel and over 200 vehicles participated in these efforts.

The fire in the Loriga area of the Seia municipality emerged as an extension of the Piódão fire in Arganil. As of 24 August officials reported that the fire had been largely contained but small pockets of flames persisted in hard-to-reach mountainous zones. Firefighting units in the region are continuing intensive cooling and monitoring operations to ensure complete extinguishment.

More than 170 personnel were deployed on site with eight aircraft actively engaged. Helicopters drew water from rivers near Loriga to tackle remaining hotspots. ANEPC noted that these operations were particularly challenging due to the rugged and rocky terrain.

A similar situation occurred in Alvoco da Serra where large sections of forest were destroyed and villages suffered prolonged water shortages. Four villages were left completely without water three had their supply restored while one continued to experience disruptions as of 24 August. Local administration has initiated damage assessments for agricultural and livestock losses.

The Loriga fire did not directly threaten residents. Local councilor José Pinto described the ongoing difficulty saying “The fire appears to be ending each day only to reignite the next.” Carlos Marques mayor of Alvoco da Serra stated that four villages had been without water for weeks and that pastures and farmland had been largely destroyed.

As of 24 August the Loriga fire was no longer an immediate threat to the population but remained under continuous monitoring due to incomplete extinguishment.

On the afternoon of 24 August 2025 a new major forest fire broke out in the municipality of Sabrosa in the district of Vila Real. The fire started in the Paradela de Guiães area and rapidly expanded spreading through pine and shrubland toward nearby villages. This was the third major forest fire in Sabrosa since July. Previous fires had occurred in Souto Maior São Cibrão and São Martinho de Anta destroying approximately 1,500 hectares.

On 24 August two active fire fronts were identified one advancing toward the village of Fermentões and the other toward Paradela. The Civil Protection Command stated that no response teams were positioned near one of the fronts posing a risk to nearby villages. Mayor Maria Helena Lapa described the occurrence of three major fires simultaneously as “too much of a coincidence” and confirmed that the fire had ignited at two separate points. A dog shelter was also evacuated as a precaution.

More than 200 personnel 53 ground vehicles and seven aircraft were deployed to fight the fire. By the end of the day reinforcements arrived slowing the fire fronts and easing the containment process. Deputy Regional Commander José Requeijo noted that rising humidity and lower temperatures in the evening improved firefighting conditions and confirmed that both fronts were approximately one kilometer in length.

The Sabrosa fire is recorded as the third major fire within the municipality’s boundaries in a single month. Mayor Helena Lapa stated that small-scale fires have occurred almost daily and that the possibility of intentional arson must be investigated.

Another area affected by fire-related developments on 24 August was Vila Verde in the district of Braga. Firefighting units were heavily engaged due to a forest fire in the region. Numerous ground and air assets were deployed throughout the day to prevent the spread of flames.

During operations a female firefighter from the Esposende Volunteer Fire Department suffered an accident. She fell during duty sustaining minor injuries and was transported to Braga Hospital where she received treatment. Her health condition was reported as non-serious.

The Vila Verde fire along with those in Sabrosa and Cabeceiras de Basto became one of the three most closely monitored incidents by ANEPC by the end of the day. A total of 353 personnel 93 vehicles and 11 aircraft were deployed across these three regions.

Under national emergency measures the Special Preparedness Level 4 remains in effect nationwide until 25 August. It has been announced that this level will be reassessed the following day.

The environmental organization Zero has announced that approximately half of the short-term measures outlined in the Forest Intervention Plan (2025–2050) have been delayed. The organization states that 29 of 62 emergency actions have not been implemented and that 42 of over 90 targets are behind schedule. Zero emphasizes that current funding for forest management is insufficient and calls for structural reform.

The OECD has stated that Türkiye has underestimated the true impact of its forest fires. The organization notes that municipalities most affected by fires are also those with the least financial resources making it difficult to implement preventive measures adequately.

Paulo Raimundo General Secretary of the PCP has demanded urgent measures for fire victims. Chega Party leader André Ventura has labeled the fires as “fire trafficking” and announced the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry commission. He has also called for arsonists to be punished as severely as terrorists.

Candidate for President Luís Marques Mendes argues that a genuine “forest pact” to combat fires must begin with an examination of past mistakes. He stated that new plans will be ineffective unless the effectiveness of measures taken after the 2017 disaster is properly evaluated.

In civil society the movement Aliança pela Floresta Autóctone (Alliance for Native Forests) recommends reducing the planting of highly flammable species such as eucalyptus and pine and replacing them with native trees. The group formed after the 2017 fires with the goal of creating fire-resistant forests across the country.