Portugal battles massive northern forest fire, 80% contained

Portugal’s civil protection agency said firefighters have contained about 80% of a large forest fire that erupted in the northern municipality of Vouzela. The blaze has burned at least 130,000 hectares of vegetation over three days and stretched roughly 35 km, with several active hotspots still remaining.

More than 400 fire engines, two firefighting aircraft, four helicopters and roughly 1,200 firefighters are engaged. Spain dispatched a contingent of about 100 personnel and a Canadair air‑tankers, while Italy sent two additional firefighting planes. The fire comes amid a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C and six regions under red alert. At least nine people have been injured, two in serious condition.

National statistics show that over the past five days more than 15,000 hectares have burned nationwide, bringing the year’s total to over 30,000 hectares – the highest figure since 2017. The government has declared a state of alert to address the heightened risk of rural fires.