4 days ago
Number of wildfires soaring in Portugal
LISBON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Forest fires have consumed nearly 42,000 hectares in Portugal this year, eight times more than in the same period in 2024 and the highest figure since 2022, according to the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR).
Statistics from SGIFR indicate that since Jan. 1, there have been 5,211 recorded fires that burned a total of 41,644 hectares.
SGIFR reports that 72 percent of the burned area and 53 percent of this year's fires occurred in the north of the country, where fires have been most intense in recent weeks in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, and Porto.
More than half of the burned area was consumed by flames in less than two weeks since July 26, and compared to the same period in 2024, the number of fires has nearly doubled, according to SGIFR.
Although most fires are still under investigation, the data indicates that 19 percent were caused by the use of fire, and 14 percent by arson.
The country has entered a state of alert from Sunday through Aug. 7 due to a severe heatwave and heightened wildfire risk, with temperatures expected to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius.
The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection reported on its website that, as of Tuesday afternoon, 93 wildfires remained active across Portugal. A total of 2,440 firefighters, 766 vehicles, and 13 aircraft were deployed to combat the flames.
