Latest news and stories about public safety 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.
Nine hundred firefighters and 300 vehicles are battling the Valpaços fire, which has since reached Mirandela and Vinhais.
The fire that broke out on Tuesday also reached the municipalities of Mirandela and Vinhais.
Several animals died in the fire in Chaves and warehouses were consumed by the flames.
It is the fourth municipality affected by the flames that broke out on Tuesday.
Populations have already been evacuated from their homes in the villages of São Pedro Velho and Ervideira, in Mirandela, and from the village of Vale das Fontes, in Vinhais.
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 Thursday poses no risk to homes and is expected to be resolved throughout the day, according to Civil Protection.
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.
Nearly 1,000 emergency responders are currently working to combat the wildfire in Valpaços.
Due to the intensity of the fire, an elderly bedridden person was removed from their home, but only as a precaution.
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.
The fire broke out this Thursday and is being fought by 144 personnel, 38 vehicles and nine aerial assets
Flames caused damage to at least 21 houses, an agricultural warehouse and two industrial facilities, and left five people injured.
The fire in Valpaços is the one causing the most concern for firefighters, and several residents have already had to be evacuated from their homes.
Flames have also reached Mirandela and are mobilising 800 personnel
The fire remains uncontrolled, with 831 personnel on site, supported by 274 vehicles and eight aerial assets. Additionally, the Government confirms the postponement of the start of the secondary school academic year.
Authorities received the alert at 13:50.
The GNR caught the 34-year-old man during a road inspection in the municipality of Chaves. The Guimarães Court of Appeal ordered his surrender to the French authorities.
Flames have already caused damage to 21 houses and left five people injured
The municipality invested over 32,000 euros in the equipment, installed by the PJ to identify arsonists and collect evidence in cases of negligence or intent.
The detainee will serve a sentence for crimes including fraud, document forgery, assault, and armed robbery.
PJ Judicial Police have installed 125 CCTV cameras in woodland areas in the municipality of Vila Real, designed to support the prevention and investigation of forest fires, the local council The post PJ judicial police install 125 CCTV cameras in forest areas in Vila Real appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has installed 125 video surveillance cameras in forest areas within the Vila Real municipality, aimed at supporting the prevention and investigation of forest fires, the local council revealed this Thursday. The municipal investment, exceeding 32,000 euros, intends to assist the PJ in collecting images and evidence that may contribute to...
A woman said the fire reached her parents' house.
