Latest news and stories from the Vila Real district, Portugal.
Nine hundred firefighters and 300 vehicles are battling the Valpaços wildfire, which has since reached Mirandela and Vinhais.
The fire that broke out on Tuesday also reached the municipalities of Mirandela and Vinhais.
There are 156 personnel on site supported by 50 vehicles and three aerial assets.
António Nunes, president of the Portuguese Firefighters League, believes that 'anticipatory measures' must be in place. He argues, 'We cannot continue, as was done just yesterday, to mobilise firefighters from the Alentejo to fight fires in Valpaços, because that represents 7, 8, or 9 hours until intervention.'
Several animals died in the fire in Chaves and warehouses were consumed by the flames.
Friends and collaborators in Portugal have paid tribute to Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, remembering him not only as an acclaimed musician but as an exceptionally generous man whose kindness left The post Portuguese friends pay tribute to Ireland’s Glen Hansard following tragic death appeared first on Portugal Resident.
It is the fourth municipality affected by the flames that broke out on Tuesday.
Populations have already been evacuated from their homes in the villages of São Pedro Velho and Ervideira, in Mirandela, and from the village of Vale das Fontes, in Vinhais.
The fire that started on Tuesday and spread to those in Mirandela and Vinhais continues to show no signs of letting up.
The fire that broke out on Tuesday in Valpaços continues to burn this Friday, with one active front and three in the consolidation and mop-up phase.
Despite the fog and intensity of the smoke, at 10:20 am there were four aerial assets on the ground
Two fronts, in Valpaços and Bragança, are the focus of firefighting efforts. The firefighting team expects another difficult day, although they can now count on the intervention of aerial resources.
The fire in the Chaves region is nearing containment.
Firefighters believe the fire should be resolved during the day
The fire that broke out on Thursday in Chaves continues to have an active sector near the A24 motorway this Friday, July 31, but poses no risk to homes and is expected to be resolved throughout the day, a Civil Protection source told Lusa. In an update at 07:15, the sub-regional commander for emergency and civil protection of Alto Tâmega e Barroso, Artur Mota, indicated that the fire is about 60% to 70% resolved, but there is still an agricultural area that requires 'a lot of work'. According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, 197 personnel supported by 63 vehicles were on site as of 07:45 on Friday. Meanwhile, three active fronts in Valpaços, Mirandela, and Vinhais have led to a reinforcement of resources.
The fire that broke out on Thursday poses no risk to homes and is expected to be resolved throughout the day, according to Civil Protection.
Almost 1,000 emergency workers are currently deployed to combat the fire in Valpaços.
In the municipality of Chaves, the situation regarding the fire in Pastoria shows some improvements after a critical afternoon, but continues to require close attention from teams on the ground.
In the Vila Real district, the night is expected to be one of intense and complex work for the firefighting teams.
Chaves, Vila Real, 31 July 2026 (Lusa) - The fire that broke out on Thursday in Chaves had two active fronts at the beginning of this morning, with authorities expecting a very busy night, a fire department source told Lusa.
A major fire in Valpaços is being tackled by almost 1,000 emergency responders.
Nearly 1,000 emergency responders are currently working to combat the wildfire in Valpaços.
The US President states that the plan will be implemented in phases and includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Furthermore, the President of the Republic is concerned about the Luís Neves case.
Benfica has thus qualified for the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Additionally, thousands of people arrived in Ceuta today by swimming from Morocco. At least 18 have died.
Civil Protection states that the fire in Valpaços, the most concerning one, has already led to the activation of the Municipal Emergency Plan.
The fire broke out this Thursday and is being fought by 144 personnel, 38 vehicles and nine aerial assets
Civil Protection identifies the fires in Valpaços and Chaves as the most concerning at this moment. Furthermore, the PSU decree was approved, which will include contributions from the PS.
Flames caused damage to at least 21 houses, an agricultural warehouse and two industrial facilities, and left five people injured.
The fire in Valpaços is the one causing the most concern for firefighters, and several residents have already had to be evacuated from their homes.
Flames have also reached Mirandela and are mobilising 800 personnel
