Wildfires damage homes and force evacuations in northern Portugal
A major wildfire that ignited in Valpaços has spread to the municipality of Mirandela, damaging at least 21 houses and leaving five people injured. Over 800 emergency personnel are currently working to contain the blaze, which has forced the evacuation of residents in the village of Vale de Telhas. The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil or ANEPC) is coordinating the response as high-risk conditions persist across inland regions.
Update: Wildfires spread to Mirandela as evacuations continue
Firefighting efforts have intensified as the blaze reached the municipality of Mirandela, forcing the evacuation of residents from the villages of São Pedro Velho and Ervideira. Authorities report that the fire has now damaged 21 houses, including both permanent residences and secondary homes, while smoke and flames continue to complicate operations near the A24 motorway.
A district emergency plan (Plano Distrital de Emergência) is a local civil-protection document that sets roles, resources and actions a district will use to prevent and respond to major incidents like floods, storms or wildfires. Municipal and district civil protection authorities prepare and can activate the plan with support from the national emergency agency (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil), ordering evacuations, opening shelters, closing roads and coordinating rescue teams. Those in affected districts should follow local instructions, sign up for official alerts and know their nearest shelter and evacuation routes during heavy rain.
