Lisbon, Aug. 11, 2025 (Lusa) - A total of 1,965 firefighters and 644 vehicles were on the ground at 4:15 a.m. this Monday morning fighting fires raging across mainland Portugal, more than half of them battling flames in the northern Beiras and Serra da Estrela regions.

The official website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) reports that the fire in Trancoso e Freches, currently the largest active fire, is mobilising 591 firefighters and 206 land vehicles, while the flames in Covilhã and Sobral de São Miguel are mobilising 406 firefighters and 127 vehicles.

In a summary statement to Lusa, a source from the Beiras and Serra da Estrela Sub-Regional Command said that “the situation is evolving favourably”, that “some situations are already under control, but the three fronts remain active”.

“No members of the public are at risk, but we cannot give any further details,” added the same source.

In the Douro region, the fire in Sirarelhos, Vila Real, currently mobilises 382 firefighters and 130 vehicles, and the fire in Moimenta concentrates 198 firefighters and 57 vehicles. In the fire that has been raging in Tabuaço since Saturday night, 107 firefighters supported by 72 vehicles are fighting the flames.

Portugal is on alert due to worsening weather forecasts, which point to a rise in temperatures on Monday and a significant risk of rural fires. Temperatures are only expected to drop after the 13th.

During this period, access, movement and staying in forest areas is prohibited, in accordance with municipal forest fire defence plans, as is the burning of waste vegetation, with permits issued for this period also being suspended.

The alert also means that work in forest and rural areas using machinery is prohibited and the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices is prohibited. In this case, authorisations already issued are also suspended.

APL/AYLS // AYLS

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