The Secretary of State for Forests, Rui Ladeira, announced that the government will pay between €300 and €360 per hectare for controlled burning (fogo controlado) this year. The initiative aims to manage forest fuel loads and prevent large-scale wildfires through prescribed burns conducted by qualified technicians. Rural property owners should note that the support application process is expected to open later this month.
Government to pay landowners for controlled forest burning
Friday, 20 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Rui Ladeira is the Secretary of State for Forests (Secretário de Estado das Florestas) in the Portuguese government. He is responsible for forest management and wildfire prevention, including the implementation of financial support for controlled burning (fogo controlado) programs. Before joining the national government in 2024, he served as the Mayor of Vouzela for 11 years.
