Devastating Wildfire Engulfs Over 7500 Hectares in Peneda-Gerês National Park

A catastrophic wildfire has ravaged more than 7500 hectares of the protected Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG), causing significant damage to various areas and leaving animals without pasture, as reported by the mayor of Ponte da Barca.

Augusto Marinho, the mayor, highlighted the urgent need to restore habitats and address the immediate crisis of animals lacking food. The fire, which started on July 26, has also led to canceled tourism bookings and destroyed infrastructure, including beehives and access routes.

The local authority is currently assessing the damages to report to governmental entities, with no estimated completion time. Water supply issues have emerged in some villages due to burned pipelines.

Despite the fire being under control since Sunday, the risk of reignitions remains high, prompting concerns over continuous surveillance. The PNPG, established in 1971, spans approximately 70,000 hectares across five municipalities.