Portugal GNR ramps up fire patrols as heatwave raises wildfire risk

The Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) has intensified its wildfire prevention efforts across the mainland in response to forecast‑driven heat and wind conditions. The operation deploys an average of 210 mobile patrols daily, supported by 20 additional patrols from the Armed Forces, and monitors roughly seven million hectares via 147 fixed video‑surveillance towers and 80 observation posts staffed by 320 vigilantes. Specialized resources include 140 military specialists in forest‑information management, 23 maintenance and exploitation teams, and unmanned aerial vehicles from the Emergency Protection and Rescue Unit and the Air Force.

The heightened measures target areas with a history of ignitions or suspected arson, and the GNR reports that about 60 % of recent forest fires stem from negligent fire use, with 11.6 % linked to intentional acts. In parallel, the city of Braga warned residents against releasing flame‑filled balloons during the São João festivities, citing the elevated fire danger and legal prohibition of such devices.

Since the start of the year, the GNR has conducted 22,954 patrols, identified 718 suspects and detained 120 people for forest‑fire offences, while recording 3,588 rural fire incidents.