Latest news and stories about wildfires in europe in Portugal for expats and residents.
From the extreme spring rain to the devastating summer wildfires, Portugal emerges as one of the examples of climate instability on the continent that is warming faster than the rest of the world.
Portugal is advocating for European Union funding to utilize livestock grazing as a strategic method for wildfire prevention, framing the initiative within the context of climate change mitigation during budget negotiations.
Despite a significant reduction in the total area affected by wildfires, Portugal still leads the European Union in terms of the proportion of land burnt.
Ursula von der Leyen stressed that, this year, the wildfire season in Europe “began exceptionally early, at the end of April, and placed national reserves under enormous pressure.”
The Atlantic Axis organisation proposes a joint coordination centre to manage wildfire response efforts across the border between Portugal and Spain.
As summer blazes are again spreading across the continent, satellites can now gather images and data to map damage and detect fires at an early stage.
The ECB president says that Europe was left on the sidelines of the first digital revolution. Furthermore, agricultural burning and wildfires are the main cause of fires in Portugal.
Europe is on high alert for forest fires. There are thousands of displaced people. In Belgium, the fire is already considered the largest in the country's history, having consumed three thousand hectares of forest.
The heatwave crossing Europe is fueling large forest fires throughout the Mediterranean region. Since May, there have already been 1,200 major fires in Europe.
Commissioner Jessika Roswall states that “no region in Europe is spared” and that the need for investment is “truly urgent”.
Southern Europe faces violent wildfires, exacerbated by successive heatwaves.
Recent analyses indicate that both the June heatwaves and the drought currently affecting Europe were fuelled by human-induced climate change.
Wildfires have already killed three people, destroyed thousands of homes and forced 300,000 people to flee.
Global warming also doubled the likelihood of this year's tinderbox conditions in France, says snap scientific analysis.
Europe, the continent most exposed to global warming and the territory of uncontrolled wildfires, is cutting funding intended to combat them in favour of funds allocated to combat Russia.
Skip to main content Skip to navigation ! Firefighters with tools work in a dry field as large flames and smoke billow in the background Residents and firefighters work to extinguish an advancing wildfire near Formariz, in Zamora province, Spain, on Wednesday.
2026 has been marked by fires getting closer and threatening more European cities. Is fire changing? Or do we need to change to use it to our advantage?
Spain and France have put the European Civil Protection Mechanism under pressure, but Brussels guarantees it remains operational and available to support Portugal if necessary. Experts warn, however, that the response to large fires depends less on buying planes and more on forest management.
Temperatures have started to rise again in Spanish territory, at a decisive moment for the firefighting teams. On the other hand, the wind is expected to ease.
The ongoing forest fires in these two countries have triggered one of the largest evacuation operations in Europe, with more than 325,000 people displaced.
Fires have already caused more than 325,000 people to be displaced.
Portuguese firefighting teams have been deployed to assist with the ongoing wildfires in the Spanish regions of Ávila and Madrid.
Commander Paulo Santos, a commentator for CNN Portugal, analyses the firefighting efforts currently devastating Spain and France.
King Felipe VI of Spain praised the exemplary coordination of authorities in fighting wildfires in Ávila, Madrid, and Toledo, which have caused incalculable damage to natural heritage. Accompanied by Queen Letizia, the King visited a shelter for displaced residents and highlighted the effectiveness of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, while suggesting it may need further strengthening given the simultaneous wildfire risks in Spain and France. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for a state pact against climate change as over 150,000 hectares have burned in Spain this year.
About 300,000 people have been forced to leave their homes or prevented from leaving. Unprecedented fires have no end in sight and aid is starting to arrive from everywhere, including from Portugal.
Over 40,000 people have been evacuated from their homes due to wildfires that have been affecting the Madrid and Ávila regions in Spain since Thursday. Authorities stated on Friday, July 24, that the fires remain uncontrolled. In the autonomous region of Madrid, approximately 40,000 people were evacuated as a precaution, while another 1,500 are currently displaced in Ávila, in the neighbouring region of Castile and León. The Spanish government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, noted that further evacuations may occur in the coming hours depending on the fire's progression. Madrid's regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, described it as the 'worst fire in history'. The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency and activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to request aerial firefighting support from EU partners. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged the 'dramatic situation' across several provinces, with over 130,000 hectares already burned in Spain this year.
France activates the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and mobilises international resources. Two Portuguese Air Tractor aircraft will reinforce the firefighting efforts.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the aerial reinforcements via the social network X, where he mentions “two Portuguese Air Tractor planes”.
France requested the activation of the European Union (EU) civil protection mechanism and will quickly receive European aerial reinforcements to fight wildfires, including two Portuguese aircraft, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday night.
