Portugal forest fire crisis

In early July 2026 a massive forest fire in Vouzela burned at least 130,000 ha, stretching roughly 35 km. Portuguese firefighters, supported by more than 400 fire engines, two aircraft, four helicopters and around 1,200 personnel, contained about 80 % of the blaze; Spain and Italy also contributed crews and aerial assets. Nine people were injured, two seriously, and a national state of alert was declared.

By the end of July officials assessed the 2025 fire season: 8,252 fires burned about 271,000 ha, with 44 large fires accounting for 91 % of the area. Direct economic losses exceeded €85 million, mainly affecting pine (≈ €52 M), eucalyptus (≈ €11 M) and cork oak (≈ €1.1 M). The Vouzela fire was among the most destructive, contributing to roughly 3.6 million tonnes of CO₂ (about 24 % of Portugal’s emissions).

The same summer, extreme heat and strong winds drove wildfires that forced the evacuation of more than 140,000 people in southern France and Spain, prompting both governments to request EU assistance. The WHO’s European office reported a 57 % rise in wildfires over the past four years, with smoke spreading hundreds of kilometres and worsening cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health, especially for vulnerable groups. Environmental group Quercus warned that landscape homogenisation and insufficient preventive management keep the territory vulnerable, urging a shift toward integrated, sustainable land‑management prevention strategies.