Over 80 Municipalities at Maximum Wildfire Risk as Arganil Fire Rages On

The municipality of Castelo Branco activated its Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan late Monday night to combat a large-scale wildfire that spread from the neighboring Fundão municipality, originating in Arganil. The flames have reached São Vicente da Beira, with authorities closely monitoring the situation and mobilizing resources, including Civil Protection teams, firefighters, GNR, and other operational entities.

Residents are urged to adopt self-protection behaviors, stay confined in their villages, and choose safe areas to remain. Meanwhile, significant fires in Arganil, Sabugal, Montalegre, and Mirandela are drawing attention, with over 2300 personnel deployed. The Arganil fire, in Coimbra district, remains active with 1438 personnel and 478 vehicles, reinforced by 125 more personnel and nearly 40 ground units since the last update. The fire is far from controlled and expected to remain active through the night and into the day.

The wildfire in Fundão, originating from Arganil, spread to Castelo Branco by evening. In Sabugal, Guarda district, 374 personnel and 98 vehicles are battling an active fire since Friday afternoon. Mirandela, Bragança district, has seen a fire since Monday at 17h, with 337 personnel and 111 vehicles mobilized by 3:30 AM.

Over 80 municipalities in the northern and central interior and Algarve are at maximum rural fire risk, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Districts including Vila Real, Bragança, Guarda, Coimbra, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, and Faro are under extreme danger, with several others at very high risk. A decrease in risk is forecasted for the coming days.