Portugal responds to forest fires in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Coruche

On 30 June 2026, a 61‑year‑old man was charged with arson after a fire broke out during agricultural work in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. The GNR reported that the ignition threatened both cultivated lands and forested areas. Volunteer fire crews from Almeida, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Guarda, Pinhel and Soito were deployed, and the case was forwarded to the local court.

The previous day, 29 June 2026, a separate blaze erupted in a shrubland area of Coruche, Santarém. Authorities received the first alert at 15:41 and dispatched 75 operational personnel supported by six aerial units to contain the flames. The incident was reported by the regional civil protection authority.

Both events illustrate ongoing challenges in managing rural fires in Portugal, with law‑enforcement emphasizing preventive measures and rapid emergency response.