Latest news and stories about forest fires in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European continent is warming the fastest, with record heatwaves in 2025, a year in which forest fires consumed 1,034,550 hectares, the largest area ever recorded.
The Government will invest 30 million euros per year to support shepherds and herds that contribute to reducing the risk of forest fires, the Ministers of Agriculture and Environment announced today.
Forest fire expert Domingos Xavier Viegas expressed doubts today regarding the existence of “concerted actions” in businesses linked to fires, but admitted to “some negligence” and that the system requires greater supervision.
The legislative initiative aims to evaluate the forest fires of August 2025.
The Head of State expressed satisfaction that work is currently underway.
Men aged 65, 58, and 66 were arrested in Montalegre and Valpaços. Since the beginning of the year, the district has already recorded 14 arrests for forest fires.
Since the beginning of the year, the Vila Real Territorial Command has already arrested 14 people suspected of committing forest fire crimes in this district.
Fires increased by 20% in 2025 in Europe and the Mediterranean, with Portugal doubling its burnt area. Satellite images have made this current challenge (even more) difficult to ignore.
Home News Portugal anticipates a complicated summer due to fires Portugal anticipates a complicated summer due to fires The Minister of Home Affairs acknowledged that the summer will be “very tough” in terms of the risk of forest fires and guaranteed an assessment model to define priority clearin
Luís Neves guaranteed an assessment model to define priority clearing zones.
A pilot project could contribute to a reduction of up to 30% in the number of fires, which means that “up to 25,000 hectares per year could be preserved in the Coimbra region alone.”
Municipalities will receive quarterly maps showing changes in forest cover, burnt areas, and recovery progress.
The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) warns of a difficult year ahead regarding forest fire risks.
The territory marked by the 2017 Pedrógão Grande fire is concerned about the approaching summer, after the January storm left hundreds of kilometres of forest paths blocked and more fuel on the ground to burn.
Miguel Albuquerque says the goal of having controlled livestock is to keep the land clear, as invasive species grow faster than the capacity to cut trees.
Ten people were arrested in the first few months of this year on suspicion of forest fire crimes, the National Republican Guard (GNR) revealed this Saturday, March 21. More than 40% of landowners fail to clear their land after being notified. In a summary of rural fire occurrences comparing 2025 and 2024 data, and on the date marking World Forestry Day, the GNR stated that 10 people had been arrested for forest fire crimes as of Thursday, March 19. The GNR noted that rural fires increased by 30% last year compared to 2024, highlighting that many fires result from negligent behaviour or improper agricultural and forestry practices, such as illegal burning of debris.
Ten people have been arrested in the first few months of this year on suspicion of forest fire crimes, the National Republican Guard (GNR) revealed today, noting that more than 40% of landowners do not clear their land after being notified.
The GNR reminds that a considerable portion of rural fires results from negligent behaviour or inappropriate practices. Last year, almost 10,500 landowners were notified.
Regarding the International Day of Forests, marked on Saturday, the Zero association warns that the lack of public incentives “compromises the agroforestry mosaic that prevents fires.”
According to the Braga Territorial Command of the GNR, two men aged 39 and 44 and a 49-year-old woman were arrested for 'negligent forest fire'.
Suspects were arrested for “negligent forest fire”.
Forest fires occurred in Celorico and Cabeceiras de Basto, resulting from the burning of agricultural waste. The GNR warns that strict safety requirements must be met.
The mayor of Pedrógão Grande municipality, in the north of the Leiria district, said today that the municipality is facing “another tragedy” following the 2017 forest fires, and appealed to people and businesses to help.
The technical committee on the fires that burned more than 217,000 hectares in August 2025 will be made up of 12 individuals to be appointed by Parliament, university rectors, polytechnic institutions and municipalities.
