Latest news and stories about emergency services in Viseu, Portugal for expats and residents.
Portugal is grappling with a severe wildfire crisis fueled by extreme heat and multiple active fronts, leading to an extended state of alert while the country simultaneously deploys personnel to assist with firefighting efforts in Spain.
A fire in Oeiras has mobilised 43 personnel as the region remains under high alert, while other major fires in Vouzela are now contained but monitored for potential reignition.
Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism and requested bilateral support from Spain and Morocco to combat escalating wildfires driven by extreme heat and high winds, though officials maintain that national resources remain sufficient.
The fire was confined to the garage where it started, but the smoke spread throughout the house, forcing a couple with two children to leave their home in the Viseu district for the time being. One vehicle was destroyed.
It involves a couple with two minor children.
The 'Investigação CM' programme was alongside residents who grabbed hoses and buckets of water to try to defend their homes, animals, and property.
A 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man died in a quad bike crash. An eight-year-old child was also seriously injured and was airlifted to Coimbra Hospital.
The crash occurred in Castro Daire shortly before 20:00 this Monday
An eight-year-old minor was airlifted to the Coimbra Pediatric Hospital.
A truck with tyre problems is believed to be the cause of the fire.
Rui Rocha, Secretary of State for Civil Protection, guarantees that the days of intense fires in Vouzela occurred under 'exceptional circumstances'.
The Vouzela fire is already the largest of this year in Portugal and in Europe.
The fire was declared under control at 12:40 pm on Sunday.
A man died following a car crash on the A25 in Reigoso, in the direction of Viseu to Aveiro. 13 emergency personnel supported by 7 vehicles were deployed. The alert was raised at 8:19 AM.
The accident mobilised firefighters, the GNR, and the INEM
In addition to firefighters, Armed Forces patrols are mobilised to combat wildfires in Portugal. According to an official statement, around 40 Navy and Army patrols are on the ground. In Vouzela and Santo Tirso, where the largest fires of recent days occurred, military personnel are engaged in mop-up and post-mop-up surveillance operations. One patrol is deployed to Santo Tirso and two to Vouzela, the municipality that recorded the largest burnt area. As DN revealed this Tuesday, this fire placed Portugal at the top of Europe for burnt area in 2026. According to the Armed Forces, two engineering detachments are also deployed in Vouzela, with a third pre-positioned in Leiria, prepared to respond to potential operational needs. Within the scope of the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR), teams are supported in all operations by manned aerial assets and unmanned aerial systems from the Navy and Air Force. Missions include surveillance and patrolling across the national territory, ensuring a permanent presence in high-risk areas. Two of the helicopters used are AW119 Koala models, dedicated to surveillance, reconnaissance, and aerial coordination missions. The other two are UH-60 Black Hawks, employed in firefighting missions and the projection of personnel to hard-to-reach areas. The continuous presence on the ground and in the air aims to contribute to the early detection of fires and potential flare-ups, and to identify negligent or illicit behaviour in close coordination with competent authorities. The Armed Forces also provide accommodation and food for firefighters in Abrantes, as well as support for the operation of Canadair aircraft mobilised through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
The alert was given at 17:55, and 12 emergency personnel were on the scene, supported by three vehicles and an air asset, the INEM helicopter.
Carlos Oliveira admits to Rádio Observador that he does not know the actual value of the damages, but states that this assessment is currently underway. Additionally, the death toll in Kyiv rises following a Russian attack.
The fires in the Vouzela region have contributed to Portugal reaching a record-breaking amount of burnt land in Europe for the year 2026.
The alert was given at 17:55, and 12 emergency personnel were on the scene, supported by three vehicles and an air asset, the INEM helicopter.
Mayor Carlos Oliveira stated that 'there are many hot spots that need to be monitored' and this work 'is being carried out across the entire affected area' in four municipalities, with 'personnel stationed at various locations along the perimeter'.
A massive wildfire in Portugal has destroyed over 13,000 hectares, marking the most severe incident in southern Europe.
An image captured by a satellite from the Copernicus programme reveals the scale of the fire, now in the resolution phase, which mobilised more than 1,100 firefighters in north-west Portugal.
High temperatures keep resources on the ground to prevent potential flare-ups. More than 700 personnel continue mop-up and surveillance operations.
The municipality of Vouzela is calculating the losses caused by a recent fire.
13,000 hectares burned over four days in a fire that started in Vouzela and spread to three other municipalities. The risk of reignition continues to concern firefighters.
The fire in Vouzela, which had been the largest in the country since Thursday, is now contained. Thousands of personnel remain on the ground to prevent reignition. Weather conditions will be decisive over the coming hours. We followed all developments here, minute by minute.
The local authority of Vouzela reports a shortage of equipment and personnel, while the National League of Firefighters expresses dissatisfaction with the official handling of the situation.
Reignitions in the fire that began in Vouzela on Thursday morning remain a concern for firefighters, according to the local fire chief. Although the fire is considered contained, the large perimeter is causing frequent flare-ups. As of Friday afternoon, over 1,100 personnel were on the ground. The incident has resulted in two serious injuries and three minor ones, and caused the total destruction of a biomass factory.
The fire that started in Vouzela is under control, but flare-ups continue to mobilise over a thousand personnel on the ground. In Gerês, dozens of people entered restricted areas despite fire warnings, leading local authorities to call for increased surveillance and fines in the event of rescues due to non-compliance.
