Portugal\’s wildfire damage triples as fires blaze into a new year

Portugal Faces a Wildfire Surge

Current Situation

• Over 3,000 fires have erupted by the 15th of July.
• These blazes have consumed a total of 10,768 hectares.
• The burned area is three times the value recorded during the same period last year.
• These statistics do not yet include the fires that have started this week.

Implications and Response

• The scale of the crisis highlights the need for intensified firefighting resources.
• Authorities are urging communities to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines.
• Environmental impacts are worsening, with increased threats to wildlife habitats.

Future Outlook

• Forecasts predict continued activity until the cooling season arrives.
• Preventive measures and emergency plans are being expanded across affected regions.

Rural Fires in Portugal Up 2025, Despite Fewer Incidents

The National Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) released data on Wednesday showing that, from January 1 to July 15, 2025, a total of 3,370 rural fires scorched 10,768 hectares across the country.

Key Figures

• 3,370 fires recorded in 2025 versus 3,462 in the same period last year.
• 10,768 hectares burned in 2025, compared to just 3,462 hectares in 2024.
• 2025 figures represent a significant drop of 36% in the number of fires and 46% in area burned relative to the last decade’s average.

Area Impact by Land Type

• 4,736 hectares affected in shrublands.
• 3,762 hectares lost within forest stands.
• 2,271 hectares consumed on agricultural land.

Decade‑Long Context

• The 2025 fire count stands below the typical annual average.
• Flame‑impacted territory is markedly smaller than the 10‑year norm.

Portugal’s fires have been more aggressive in 2025

Portugal Records Fourth Least Fires but Fifth Largest Burned Area in 2025

July 15, 2025: The Portuguese national fire agency (ICNF) has reported that the country recorded its fourth lowest number of wildfire incidents so far, while the area consumed by these fires rose to the fifth highest level ever recorded since 2015.

Trend Highlights

• The overall count of fires has steadily declined since 2017.
• Nonetheless, the intensity of the remaining incidents has increased; over 50 % of the fires are now classified as large‑scale, meaning they consumed more than 100 hectares each.

Fire Statistics for 2025

• Large‑scale fires: 22 incidents, covering 6,112 hectares.
• This figure represents roughly 57 % of the total area burned during the year.

Causes of Rural Fires

• Out of 3,370 rural fires investigated, 2,374 investigations were completed.
• Top causes identified:
  • Arson: 24 %
  • Extensive burning of forestry or agricultural debris: 13 %
  • Burning of piled forestry or agricultural waste: 11 %

Regional Impact

• Évora District: 2,438 hectares (≈23 % of total).
• Beja District: 2,058 hectares (≈19 % of total).
• Viana do Castelo District: 1,522 hectares (≈14 % of total).

Monthly Breakdown

• June saw the highest number of rural fires: 1,251 events, accounting for 37 % of the yearly total.
• The same month also recorded the largest area burned: 3,367 hectares, which is about 31 % of the total area affected in 2025.

Updates on Ongoing Fires

These figures do not include the most recent large-scale incident in Arouca, where the fire has already consumed roughly 4,000 hectares, according to local authorities.

The Ponte da Barca fire remains active. Hundreds of firefighters and aerial units are currently engaged, with additional support from Spanish firefighting aircraft.

Judicial Police have already arrested 26 arson suspects

Police Action on Arson Increases

In a recent report released on Thursday by Diário de Notícias (DN), the Polícia Judiciária announced that 26 individuals have been detained for arson offenses since the beginning of this year. These detentions are strictly tied to criminal activity.

Comparative Figures

• First half of 2024: 20 suspects were arrested.
• First half of 2025: 26 suspects have been apprehended.

The increase in arrests indicates a rising trend in the enforcement of arson-related crimes.

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