Latest news and stories about public safety in Vila Real, Portugal for expats and residents.
More than 160 firefighters and support personnel are actively battling a wildfire in the Vila Real district as emergency teams manage multiple fire incidents across the region.
The wildfire in Mesão Frio has been brought under control by 160 personnel, joining other fires across the country that have reached the resolution phase, while the major blaze in Valpaços remains under surveillance after causing significant destruction.
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.
The report was shared during the criminal investigation conference hosted by the Vila Real Command.
These are the most reported crimes in the district.
The fire broke out in a vacant house in the city centre of Vila Real in the early hours of this Thursday.
The fire broke out in a vacant house in the city centre of Vila Real in the early hours of this Thursday.
According to the Salto firefighters, the woman is unable to return by her own means
The alert was raised at 11:15 am for the Gerês National Park. In total, seven personnel and two vehicles were mobilised, including an off-road ambulance.
The alert was raised at 11:15 am for the Peneda-Gerês National Park, in the Cabril area.
The suspect already had a series of cases related to conflicts in bars, using firearms for threats.
The Judicial Police strongly suspect the 42-year-old man of forest arson in Solveira, Montalegre. The fire, started with a lighter, consumed 6,000 m² of vegetation.
Rui Rocha met with firefighters and mayors in Boticas, where 3,000 hectares have burned, and warns: nocturnal and multiple fires are the greatest threat to firefighting efforts.
The Secretary of State for Civil Protection appealed today for the avoidance of fire-risk behaviours and warned of the increased difficulty in firefighting when multiple ignitions occur almost simultaneously, as happened in Boticas.
The man is strongly suspected of committing a forest fire crime, which consumed approximately 6,000 square metres of vegetation. He will be presented to court for an initial interrogation.
500 citizen cards, 200 passports, two safes, 500 euros, and two blank seals were stolen.
Two safes, 500 euros, and two blank stamps were also taken. Entry into the building was reportedly made by breaking down the door.
A 60-year-old woman was also on the motorcycle; she sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Vila Real hospital.
A 60-year-old woman who was on the same motorcycle was also seriously injured. The accident occurred at kilometer 83.8, between Nogueira and Vila Real.
A 65-year-old man died following a collision between the motorcycle he was riding and a broken-down van on the A24 between Nogueira and Vila Real.
Home News A whirlwind of ash seen in Portugal A whirlwind of ash seen in Portugal On 30 August, a meteorological phenomenon called a “dust devil” appeared in the municipality of Chaves and became especially noticeable as it lifted dust and the layer of ash left by a forest fire that had impacted
A 17-year-old was thrown about 10 metres after crashing while riding a quad bike. The alert was raised at 16:48 and 13 emergency personnel were mobilised to the scene.
The accident occurred on the trail to the Pincães waterfall, in the parish of Cabril.
The investigation began after a report of a “particularly serious situation” involving an “especially vulnerable victim.”
The Vila Real Judicial Police arrested two men and gathered evidence linking them to the fires. The fires were started by applying direct flame to dry vegetation.
The fires reached the point of threatening several villages.
According to the investigation, the 53-year-old suspect set fires in the village of Moura Morta, in the municipality of Peso da Régua
