Latest news and stories about emergency services in Vila Real, 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.
The wildfire in Alijó has been reduced to a single active front with favorable progress, allowing for the reopening of the IC5 route as emergency crews continue their containment efforts.
Firefighting operations in Murça, Vila Real, are showing positive progress as crews work to contain two remaining active fronts of lower intensity, with no immediate threat to residential areas.
There are 156 personnel on site supported by 50 vehicles and three aerial assets.
António Nunes, president of the Portuguese Firefighters League, believes that 'anticipatory measures' must be in place. He argues, 'We cannot continue, as was done just yesterday, to mobilise firefighters from the Alentejo to fight fires in Valpaços, because that represents 7, 8, or 9 hours until intervention.'
Several animals died in the fire in Chaves and warehouses were consumed by the flames.
The fire that started on Tuesday and spread to those in Mirandela and Vinhais continues to show no signs of letting up.
The fire that broke out on Tuesday in Valpaços continues to burn this Friday, with one active front and three in the consolidation and mop-up phase.
Despite the fog and intensity of the smoke, at 10:20 am there were four aerial assets on the ground
Two fronts, in Valpaços and Bragança, are the focus of firefighting efforts. The firefighting team expects another difficult day, although they can now count on the intervention of aerial resources.
The fire in the Chaves region is nearing containment.
The fire that broke out on Thursday in Chaves continues to have an active sector near the A24 motorway this Friday, July 31, but poses no risk to homes and is expected to be resolved throughout the day, a Civil Protection source told Lusa. In an update at 07:15, the sub-regional commander for emergency and civil protection of Alto Tâmega e Barroso, Artur Mota, indicated that the fire is about 60% to 70% resolved, but there is still an agricultural area that requires 'a lot of work'. According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, 197 personnel supported by 63 vehicles were on site as of 07:45 on Friday. Meanwhile, three active fronts in Valpaços, Mirandela, and Vinhais have led to a reinforcement of resources.
The fire that broke out on Thursday poses no risk to homes and is expected to be resolved throughout the day, according to Civil Protection.
Almost 1,000 emergency workers are currently deployed to combat the fire in Valpaços.
In the municipality of Chaves, the situation regarding the fire in Pastoria shows some improvements after a critical afternoon, but continues to require close attention from teams on the ground.
In the Vila Real district, the night is expected to be one of intense and complex work for the firefighting teams.
Chaves, Vila Real, 31 July 2026 (Lusa) - The fire that broke out on Thursday in Chaves had two active fronts at the beginning of this morning, with authorities expecting a very busy night, a fire department source told Lusa.
A major fire in Valpaços is being tackled by almost 1,000 emergency responders.
Nearly 1,000 emergency responders are currently working to combat the wildfire in Valpaços.
The US President states that the plan will be implemented in phases and includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Furthermore, the President of the Republic is concerned about the Luís Neves case.
Benfica has thus qualified for the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Additionally, thousands of people arrived in Ceuta today by swimming from Morocco. At least 18 have died.
Civil Protection states that the fire in Valpaços, the most concerning one, has already led to the activation of the Municipal Emergency Plan.
The fire broke out this Thursday and is being fought by 144 personnel, 38 vehicles and nine aerial assets
Civil Protection identifies the fires in Valpaços and Chaves as the most concerning at this moment. Furthermore, the PSU decree was approved, which will include contributions from the PS.
Flames caused damage to at least 21 houses, an agricultural warehouse and two industrial facilities, and left five people injured.
Authorities received the alert at 13:50.
Flames have already caused damage to 21 houses and left five people injured
Flames have already threatened two dairy farms in the municipality of Boticas.
A woman said the fire reached her parents' house.
