Forest fires in Portugal and north-eastern Spain: EU assistance activated, settlements under protection

Vouzela – 04.07.2026: In central Portugal, around the municipalities of Vouzela, Oliveira de Frades and Tondela in the Viseu district, emergency services have been battling several major forest fires since the beginning of July. Stronger winds and prolonged heat on 2 July led to new fire lines, which quickly engulfed densely vegetated slopes and spread across municipal boundaries. According to the civil protection service, more than a thousand personnel, supported by firefighting aircraft and helicopters, are involved in the operation; ground crews are creating firebreaks and securing access routes for emergency vehicles.

Due to the dynamics of the situation, Lisbon activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to obtain additional aerial support and materials from partner states. Authorities are prioritizing the protection of settlements, evacuation routes and critical infrastructure such as power lines and substations. Regional railways reported temporary closures of individual sections due to burning vegetation, while local roads were kept clear for emergency vehicles. No reliable information about casualties had been received on Saturday morning.

Active fire hotspots were also reported in northeastern Spain, especially in Aragon and Catalonia. Firefighting units and aircraft continued overnight suppression work to contain smouldering areas amid strengthening winds. In particularly vulnerable areas, the command of the deployed forces ordered preventive evacuations and warned residents about smoke and flying sparks. Coordination is carried out through regional civil protection command centres; border units remain in contact to detect the spread of fire to difficult-to-access mountain areas at an early stage.

Experts attribute the worsening situation to a dry spring, high temperatures and wind gusts. The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) estimates that the area affected in Portugal already amounts to several thousand hectares; figures are constantly being updated as fire fronts shift depending on wind direction. For Spain, regions report extensive hotspots in scrubland and pine forests, while precise assessments are still unavailable in many places.

The governments in Lisbon and Madrid assured that they would mobilize all available resources and coordinate assistance across borders. Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro urged the population to exercise caution: open fires are prohibited in many districts, and access to forests has been restricted in some areas. Authorities advise travellers to follow notices on road closures, air quality and reduced visibility and to adjust planned routes flexibly.

For the coming hours, the command warns of a possible renewed escalation if winds strengthen. Residents living near forests are asked to keep access to water clear, close windows in case of heavy smoke, and follow evacuation instructions immediately. Authorities expect the situation to improve gradually only after the main fronts have been brought under control and surrounding areas have been checked for smouldering spots.