Lisbon, 31 July 2025 — Firefighters in Portugal are working intensively to contain a significant forest fire in the Arouca municipality, as authorities placed nearly the entire country on high alert due to escalating wildfire risks.
The blaze in Arouca, located in the northern Aveiro district, has rapidly spread across rugged terrain, fueled by strong winds and extreme heat. Dozens of firefighting units, supported by aerial water bombers and ground vehicles, have been deployed to halt the fire’s advance and protect nearby communities.
Civil protection officials said the fire began early Tuesday and quickly intensified. As of Wednesday morning, the blaze had scorched hundreds of hectares, prompting the evacuation of some rural households and restricting access to several mountain roads.
Portugal’s meteorological agency warned of continued high temperatures and dry conditions across much of the country, increasing the threat of further outbreaks. The Interior Ministry issued a nationwide red alert, the highest fire risk level, calling for public caution and reinforcing firefighting resources in vulnerable regions.
Interior Minister José Luís Carneiro said the government was “mobilising all necessary means” and urged local authorities and citizens to remain vigilant. “We are facing one of the most critical fire risk periods in recent years,” he stated.
Portugal has faced an increasing frequency of forest fires in recent summers, a trend linked to rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions associated with climate change. The current fire season has already stretched emergency services, particularly in central and northern districts.
No casualties have been reported in the Arouca fire so far, but authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with contingency plans in place should conditions deteriorate further.
Leave a comment