Authorities trying to mitigate the fires

Portugal is going through one of the worst times since 2017 when it comes to forest fires.

By Bruno G. Santos, in News, Portugal · 19 Aug 2025, 16:02 · 0 Comments

Although the number of deaths cannot be compared to 2017, the burned area across the country is now the largest in the European Union (EU).

As of 19 August, there were four major fires concerning the authorities in the country, mobilising thousands of firefighters and other means to the areas, mainly in central and northern Portugal, where the fire is burning in the forests.

On 19 August, there were 2361 firefighters trying to mitigate the fires in Arganil (Coimbra), Sabugal (Guarda), Mirandela (Bragança) and Montalegre (Vila Real).

The fire in Arganil has already spread to Castelo Branco district, affecting, mainly, the municipality of Fundão.

Causes of the fires

The majority of the fires happening this year in Portugal are suspected of being caused by arsonists, and the Portuguese police have been undertaking major efforts in arresting people suspected of setting fire to the forests. On 19 August, the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) arrested a 39-year-old man in Serra de Todo o Mundo, between Cadaval and Caldas da Rainha, for setting eight different fires in six days. The same happened in Mêda, in the district of Guarda, for the exact same reasons. A 74-year-old man set fire to the area and has now been arrested.

In 2025, PJ detained 54 arsonists, while the GNR detained 41. Currently, there are more detained arsonists, when compared to 2024. To SIC Notícias, Carlos Farinha, deputy national director of PJ, stated that time in prison should be increased, since most of the detainees, in 2025, have already been caught in the past for the same crimes.

The government

The Portuguese Government has been criticised for the way it has been dealing with the fires. The people and the mayors of the towns affected have accused the authorities of a lack of organisation.

The situation did not go better when pictures and footage of Luís Montenegro were, officially, published during his vacations and attendance of the ministers in a party of PSD, the party of the prime-minister. The minister of Home Affairs has also been criticised for the lack of organisation, and has already been asked, by the opposition parties to resign from her position.

Burned area

According to Expresso, in 2025, 2.35% of the Portuguese territory has been burned, making Portugal the country with highest percentage of burned area in the European Union. In total, there were burned 216.214 hectares of forest in Portugal.

Experts, according to Expresso, mentioned that the natural characteristics of Portugal, with the presence of various mountain ranges, allied with the various ignitions and the hot temperatures to create the worst-case scenario.

Currently, the Trancoso fire that met the fire in Sátão is already being considered one of the worst fires that has ever happened in Portugal.

As of 19 August, there has been a register of the death of a firefighter who lost his life during a road accident while driving to Fundão, where a fire is also happening.

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Currently, the Deputy Editor at The Portugal News, Bruno G. Santos, is really interested in national politics. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, he also loves to write about different topics like Portuguese culture, society and other current affairs. Press card: 8463.