On Thursday, Portugal mobilized 2,500 firefighters to combat ten active wildfires, prompting the evacuation of four villages in Ponte da Barca. In an effort to control the blazes, authorities arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for four separate fires in northern districts. Among the various incidents, the fire in Arouca, located in the Aveiro district, engaged the largest force of responders, totaling 675 firefighters who have been active since early morning. Local residents contributed by providing food, water, and supplies to the firefighters stationed at the Arouca Volunteer Fire Brigade headquarters, highlighting community involvement as the fire operations expanded across multiple fronts.
While Arouca has seen its active fronts extinguished, the flames have spread to neighboring areas like Castelo de Paiva and Cinfães, complicating containment efforts. The situation in Ponte da Barca has emerged as the most significant challenge due to the size of the blaze and the difficulties in accessing necessary resources. Authorities indicated that four villages were evacuated for safety, affecting around 150 residents who were relocated to the Ponte da Barca Municipal Pavilion. As of early Thursday morning, a total of 414 firefighters were deployed to the area, working diligently to protect local communities from the advancing flames.
In the nearby region of Terras de Bouro, the fire, which spread from Ponte da Barca, posed a severe threat to homes and local businesses. Mayor Manuel Tibo conveyed the urgency of the situation, noting that the fire was alarmingly close to residential areas. Firefighters focused on creating a water line to safeguard houses and properties, showcasing their commitment to community protection amidst challenging conditions. In contrast, the blaze affecting Aguiar de Sousa and Recarei in Paredes experienced near-total containment overnight, demonstrating progress in firefighting efforts across the region.
The widespread fires have significantly impacted transportation, forcing the closure of various highways and regional roads. In the Alentejo town of Nisa, firefighters managed to contain a fire that had prompted partial evacuations of two villages, leaving one individual homeless. Reports indicate that residents began returning to their homes as containment was achieved on Thursday morning, providing some relief in the face of tough conditions.
Simultaneously, significant developments occurred regarding the origin of the fires. On Wednesday, the Judiciary Police announced the arrest of a 32-year-old man alleged to have started four forest fires in the regions of Terras de Bouro and Vieira do Minho on July 4 and 5. The arrest was made in collaboration with the National Republican Guard (GNR), with the suspect apprehended in the act of committing the crime. He is set to face initial questioning in front of a judiciary panel later. This action underscores law enforcement’s efforts to address the root causes of the wildfires affecting the nation.
Given the prolonged problem of wildfires damaging Portugal’s landscapes, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere declared a maximum rural fire danger for many municipalities, including Bragança, Vila Real, and Guarda, where temperatures have soared above 30 degrees Celsius. As firefighters continue to battle these fires, the situation remains precarious, with authorities urging caution as conditions look to persist. The collaboration between emergency services and local residents underscores a sense of community resilience in the face of natural disasters, with ongoing efforts aimed at preventing further incidents and ensuring the safety of affected areas.
