Latest news and stories about emergency services in Bragança, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Valpaços wildfire has triggered the Municipal Emergency Plan as it spreads to Vinhais and Mirandela, with nearly 1,000 personnel deployed to combat the blaze alongside ongoing efforts in Chaves.
A severe wildfire spreading across northern Portugal has damaged over 20 homes and left five people with minor injuries, prompting mass evacuations in the Mirandela municipality.
Aerial resources are now able to operate, a difficulty that was experienced on Thursday due to a lack of safety conditions.
Two fronts, in Valpaços and Bragança, are the focus of firefighting efforts. The firefighting operation is facing another difficult day, although it can now count on the intervention of aerial assets.
Good news at last in the north of the country where a massive wildfire had been raging for the best part of three days. Starting in Valpaços, the fire that The post Tide turns finally in Valpaços wildfire appeared first on Portugal Resident.
CNN Portugal reporter Ângela Pais provides a status update from the scene.
Almost 1,000 personnel were fighting the fire that broke out on Tuesday in the municipality of Valpaços and spread to those of Mirandela and Vinhais early this morning.
Houses are no longer at risk and people evacuated from Vale das Fontes and Rebordelo are returning to their homes. Additionally, Passos Coelho says that no one is unconcerned about controversies in Portugal.
There are hundreds of people confined in the Mirandela municipality due to wildfires. The fire has spiralled out of control and is very close to homes. At one point, it had five active fronts.
Around 800 personnel are fighting the flames in the three municipalities of Valpaços, Mirandela, and Vinhais.
A wildfire near the Portuguese border in Spain has led to the emergency evacuation of 800 residents.
The population in Mirandela continues to try to support the emergency crews on the ground, at a time when poor visibility is hindering the operation of aerial assets.
The populations of the villages of São Pedro Velho and Ervideira, in Mirandela, were evacuated from their homes and confined to meeting points early this Thursday afternoon due to the fire currently burning in the municipality. The mayor of Mirandela, in the Bragança district, told Lusa that the residents are confined...
Residents of the villages of São Pedro Velho and Ervideira in Mirandela were evacuated from their homes and confined to meeting points early Thursday afternoon, July 30, due to a wildfire burning in the municipality. The Mayor of Mirandela, in the Bragança district, told Lusa that residents are being held at local village associations, which serve as designated safety meeting points during fires. A GNR source also revealed to Lusa that Municipal Road 532, which connects to São Pedro Velho, is closed to traffic. The fire reached the Mirandela municipality on Wednesday, spreading from the Valpaços municipality in the Vila Real district. Although 80% of the fire perimeter was reported as controlled this morning, the blaze has since spiralled out of control. As of 15:30, 782 personnel were fighting the flames, supported by 258 ground vehicles and seven aircraft. Approximately 80% of the Valpaços fire perimeter is currently contained.
The fire originated in Valpaços on Tuesday and subsequently spread to Mirandela.
The fire originated in Valpaços on Tuesday and subsequently spread to Mirandela.
CNN Portugal reporter Ângela Pais provides a status update on the fires in the village of Vale de Telhas, in Mirandela.
A resident reports that there was no damage to the homes that were near the flames.
National Road 315, which connects Vale de Telhas to Bouça, in the municipality of Mirandela, has reopened to traffic.
The local authority guarantees that authorities are on the ground assisting the population.
Residents of Vale de Telhas, in the Mirandela municipality, have been evacuated to the local parish council building as fire surrounds the village. Local treasurer Sónia Mota reported that authorities are confining inhabitants to the building, though some are resisting evacuation. The village of 150 people is completely encircled by the rapidly spreading fire. One elderly resident's home was partially destroyed and is now uninhabitable, with the woman escaping with only the clothes on her back. The fire, which began Tuesday in Valpaços, reached Mirandela on Wednesday, July 29. As of 20:30, 764 personnel, 232 ground vehicles, and six aircraft were battling the blaze.
A baby was born early this morning in a Macedo de Cavaleiros fire brigade ambulance on the A4 motorway near Azibo, according to the fire chief. João Venceslau stated that the 41-year-old pregnant woman and her husband were travelling from Carrazeda de Ansiães to the maternity ward at Bragança hospital, the only one in the district, located about 100km away. Near Bornes, the woman went into labour and her husband called the emergency services. A fire brigade vehicle and a medical emergency team (VMER) were dispatched. The birth took place near Azibo while the woman was being transported to the hospital. Both mother and baby are in good health. In 2025 alone, the emergency services have assisted in 277 pre-hospital births.
A baby was delivered inside an ambulance while being transported to the hospital in Bragança.
Firefighters were transporting the pregnant woman to Bragança hospital when, halfway there, near Azibo in Macedo de Cavaleiros, they were forced to deliver the baby.
A pregnant woman and her husband initially set off in their own car from Carrazeda de Ansiães to the hospital in Bragança, 100km away.
The victim, a Spanish national, had to be resuscitated at the scene and was rescued about 15 metres down an embankment.
The fire started at 15:40 on Wednesday and was brought under control early this Thursday morning at 05:40. Officials admit it was a difficult night.
The fire had two active fronts, one in Gouveia and another in Cardanha, mobilising more than 100 personnel and 10 aerial assets.
The fire in Alfândega da Fé is currently in the mop-up stage after six hours of operations.
