Fire, fire Almost 2700 firefighters fight severe forest fires in Portugal
Firefighters fight forest fires in Portugal.
Image: Keystone
According to the emergency services, the situation was most difficult in Arouca, in the center of the country.
Image: Keystone
Firefighters fight forest fires in Portugal.
Image: Keystone
According to the emergency services, the situation was most difficult in Arouca, in the center of the country.
Image: Keystone
The situation has worsened in Portugal, which has been ravaged by severe forest fires. Almost 2,700 firefighters were battling 17 fires across the country on Tuesday, according to the authorities.
29.07.2025, 23:24
SDA
The most serious fires are raging in the north and center of the country and are being fanned by the wind. Head of government Luís Montenegro spoke of a "difficult moment" for the country.
According to the civil defense, the situation was most difficult in a eucalyptus forest in Arouca in the center of the country. Around 750 firefighters were deployed there. "This is the fire on which we are currently concentrating all our efforts and reinforcements," said civil defense chief Mario Silvestre.
A fire in the northern Portuguese town of Ponte da Barca, which four Spanish firefighting aircraft were mobilized to fight on Monday, also continued to spread. "This is a difficult fire in a mountainous region that spreads quickly with a lot of wind," explained Mayor Augusto Marinho.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday, has now destroyed almost 2,000 hectares of land and had also threatened several houses by Monday evening. The residents found shelter in a neighboring church.
Forest fire risk throughout the country
Around 20 people have been slightly injured in the fires so far, including 14 firefighters. The authorities feared that the situation would worsen due to the persistent heat and called on people in fire-prone areas to be vigilant. On Tuesday, the whole of Portugal was at increased or maximum risk of forest fires, according to the Portuguese Marine and Atmospheric Institute IPMA.
The vacation destination of Portugal has to contend with devastating forest fires every year. Due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events are increasing worldwide. In Turkey, which is suffering from a heatwave, firefighters have also been battling several large forest fires for days.
