Loulé wildfire forces EN2 closure, hindering firefighting response

A wildfire broke out near the Besteiros area in the parish of Ameixial, municipality of Loulé, Algarve. By early afternoon more than 150 firefighters (156 reported) were engaged, supported by 46 ground vehicles and nine aerial assets, while strong winds projected flames hundreds of metres and hampered containment. No evacuations have been recorded despite nearby homes.

The fire prompted the closure of both directions of the National Road EN2 at kilometre 750.5, a section that has been out of service since June 2025 due to slope instability and ongoing repair delays. Local officials, including the president of the Ameixial parish council, warned that the road’s prolonged closure forces firefighters to take lengthy detours, delaying response and emphasising the need for an urgent repair project. The closure was ordered by the Sub‑Regional Command of Emergency and Civil Protection at 11:25 a.m. to ensure safety of personnel and equipment.

Authorities from Infraestruturas de Portugal have announced a tender for the required works, but a start date has not yet been set. The incident underscores the strategic importance of the EN2 corridor for rapid north‑south travel across interior Portugal.