Portugal’s Wildfires Decimate Over 64,000 Hectares in Two Days
On August 17, 2025, Portugal’s wildfires consumed an alarming 64,160 hectares in just two days, prompting urgent responses from authorities. The Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) reported that approximately 139,000 hectares have burned throughout the year, underscoring a dramatic escalation that is 17 times greater than the area affected during the same period last year, reports 24brussels.
The surge in devastation comes after 74,931 hectares had already been scorched by August 14. By Saturday, the accumulated devastation had escalated to 139,091 hectares, with the recent fires representing 46 percent of the total area destroyed this year. In total, authorities have documented 6,229 rural fires, comprising 50 percent scrubland, 40 percent forest, and 10 percent farmland. Compared to last year, this represents a staggering 79 percent increase in incidents.
Portugal has been under wildfire risk alerts since August 2, as temperatures soared across Europe. The European Commission announced the deployment of two firefighting aircraft to assist Portugal on Sunday, July 18.
Tragically, the nation reported its first wildfire-related fatality of the summer on Friday. Local officials confirmed the death of the former parish council president of Vila Franca do Deao, whose charred remains were discovered as he attempted to extinguish the flames.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa interrupted his vacation, returning to the Belem Palace to oversee emergency measures and coordinate firefighting efforts. As of 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, there were still 44 active wildfires throughout Portugal, as confirmed by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection.
