Portugal takes command of fierce wildfires

Portugal and Spain grapple with a wildfire summer

Firefighters pressed into action across Portugal after a series of blazing outbreaks stoked by soaring temperatures and gale‑force winds. The season‑long fight has left over 29,000 hectares charred since the year’s start, according to the Institute of Forests (ICNF). Despite a ramped‑up spending on prevention, the hot, dry weather is set to raise the risk again.

Portugal’s frontline

• Seven major fires – mainly in the north and central regions – were tackled by 2,000 firefighters and a fleet that included waterbombers, 260 vehicles and eight planes.
• “We are trying to control the situation, but this afternoon the weather could bring us some bad surprises,” said civil protection commander Marco Domingues.
• At Melres, the flames encroached on a hamlet that endured a harrowing night. 64‑year‑old Maria Da Conceicao described the spread as “madness, and now here.”
• Near Ponte da Barca, a fire that started on Saturday prompted Mayor Augusto Marinho to urge reinforcements to the threatened village of Germil.
• Although the blaze near Santarem, Penamacor and Nisa was declared under control, strong winds and 40 °C temperatures forecast for Wednesday were expected to challenge the firefighters.

Across the border in Spain

• In the western province of Cáceres, a blaze swallowed 2,500 hectares (6,180 acres), forcing the evacuation of six hamlets and road closures.
• In Ávila, a week‑old fire cut off the village of El Arenal.
• Both Portuguese and Spanish authorities have issued public warnings amid tinder‑dry conditions.

Risk assessment and climate context

• Large swaths of the country fell under a “maximum, very high, or high” fire risk, according to the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
• Portugal’s wildfire spending rose after the deadly 2017 season, yet the ICNF still reports that the charred area has already expanded since the start of this year.
• Experts say climate change is intensifying droughts and the frequency of summer wildfires worldwide.

Public warning and future outlook

Residents in both countries have been urged to heed the warnings and prepare for the next wave of storms, as the hot, dry conditions set the stage for further outbreaks.